Message From the Superintendent: New Student Personal Device Policy Takes Effect on March 3

February 4th, 2025

The following message was sent to the HCPSS community by HCPSS Superintendent William J. Barnes on Feb. 4, 2025:

For several years, I have heard from countless school staff and parents who identify personal student technology devices as having a significant detrimental impact to the learning environment. The Board of Education took a significant step to address this issue on Thursday by approving adjustments to HCPSS Policy 8080 – Responsible Use of Technology, Digital Tools, and Social Media, changing students’ ability to use personal technology devices during the school day.

These changes, which take effect March 3, come amid significant research pointing to the negative impact of personal devices on mental health and instruction. The changes also align with restrictions on personal devices that have been imposed by school districts across the state and nation that have yielded overwhelming benefits, including improved focus and participation in class, higher grades, increased test scores, improved well-being, greater levels of interpersonal socialization, and better attendance at school and school activities.

HCPSS undertook a comprehensive process to evaluate students’ use of personal devices during the school day and consider changes. This process was informed by survey responses, testimony and community conversations, and guided by an advisory workgroup comprised students, staff, and parents/guardians.

I know the revised policy is unpopular with many students, and that adjusting to it may be challenging. Nonetheless, I have full confidence that students will adjust and benefit from fewer distractions in school.

I encourage you to look at this document that provides a comparison of the new policy with the prior policy. More information related to the changes and implementation may be found online and will be provided between now and the March 3rd implementation date.

The successful implementation of the new expectations requires all of us – students, staff, and parents/guardians – to work together. I am confident in doing so, we will realize the improved learning and social environments experienced by other districts across the country that have implemented similar changes.

Thank you for your continued partnership and shared commitment to positive outcomes for all students.