This is a press release from Bulloch County Schools
Board of Education places new policy on the table for review and public input
The Bulloch County Board of Education is taking steps to help students focus more on learning in the 2026-2027 school year by expanding its rules about personal electronic devices in schools. This change is all about increasing safety and focus and limiting distractions in the learning environment.
What’s Changing?
The Board of Education, at its meeting on October 9, voted to place a new policy on the table for review, Board Policy JCDAF: Use of Electronic Devices by Students. Review the draft policy at http://bit.ly/4mTyC49 or on the school district’s website. The plan is to limit students in Kindergarten through eighth grade from using most personal electronic devices from the first bell to the last bell of the school day.
This means devices like these will be limited:
- Smart cellular telephones (cell phones)
- Smartwatches
- Tablets
- E-readers
- Headphones
- Any other portable device that can connect to the internet, send messages, record videos, play games, access social media, or send data.
Why the Change?
This decision supports a new state law, House Bill 340, called the Distraction-Free Education Act, which Governor Brian Kemp signed in May 2025. This law asks schools to have a policy in place by January 1, 2026, in preparation for its implementation with students on July 1, 2026, for the 2026-2027 school year.
Limiting these devices has important benefits for students:
- Better Learning: When devices aren’t buzzing or lighting up, students can pay more attention to their teachers and schoolwork. This helps them learn more effectively.
- Improved Mental Health: Taking a break from social media and constant messages during the school day can help lower stress and anxiety, leading to better student mental health.
- Increased Safety: Fewer personal devices being used means fewer chances for cyberbullying or recording things inappropriately. It also means students are less focused on a screen and more aware of their surroundings, more likely to take potentially life-saving directions from faculty in a crisis, and devices can’t be used to alert intruders to your position or used as triggering devices.
Next Steps and Family Input
School leaders are working now to decide the best ways to put this new policy into action. They will develop implementation strategies and create guides for families and students which will provide answers to frequently asked questions. These will be shared with families this spring prior to the new school year.
Parents and guardians who would like to submit topics for the school district to consider during this process are encouraged to email them to webster@bullochschools.org, share information with their school administrator, or share through their parent teacher organization or school council.
