KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WVLT) – The Knox County School Board approved a plan Thursday night for a stricter cell phone policy.
The policy that passed with a 6-2-1 vote restricts students from accessing any wireless device during the school day, including cell phones, smart watches and tablets.
This comes after Gov. Bill Lee signed a bill restricting cell phones in schools across the state earlier this year.
Previous Coverage: Gov. Lee signs bill restricting cell phones in Tennessee schools
Knox County Schools already had a similar policy in place in which cell phones were forbidden unless approved for an academic activity or during lunch periods and class change times for high schoolers.
The new plan prohibits cell phones for all students throughout the day. The only access allowed is in the event of an emergency. Students will be allowed to keep their phones, but they must remain turned off.
The change will go into effect for the new academic year in August.
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