Savannah-Chatham board adopts statewide-mandated student electronic-device policy

The Savannah-Chatham County Board of Public Education voted Dec. 17 to adopt policy JCDAF governing student use of personal electronic devices, meeting a statutory approval deadline while scheduling operational rollout for the next school year.

Board staff told members the policy was statutorily required to be approved by Jan. 1, 2026; the adopted language defines allowable times for personal devices by grade band — with the statutory "K–8 bell-to-bell" language included and specific guidance for grades 9–12. Staff said implementation and operational details — including schedules at individual high schools — will not take effect until the following school year to allow the district to prepare.

During debate, board members asked for clarifications about whether pre-K should be explicitly included; staff said the district can extend protections to pre-K though the statutory definition applies to K–8. Board members also pressed for clearer wording of the "bell-to-bell" definition, noting a word may have been omitted in the draft language lifted from statute; staff agreed to correct and verify the statutory text. Some trustees urged preserving principal discretion at the high-school level; others said consistent application across schools supports equity and staff requested clarity to avoid uneven support for principals.

The motion to adopt was moved, seconded and approved by voice vote. Staff said the policy will be operationalized next school year and that any further refinements will be brought back to the board for review if needed.