Dougherty County board hears support and cautions as electronic device policy returns for second reading

Dougherty County School Board members heard public comment and a staff presentation Tuesday on a proposed electronic device policy brought to the board for a second reading and possible adoption. Educators and staff urged clear communication, equity protections and measurable benchmarks ahead of implementation.

"Personal electronic devices compete with classroom instruction for students' attention," said Paula McCullough, an educator who commended the policy's purpose statement and urged the district to provide families and students with ongoing education and to set benchmarks for engagement, discipline referrals, attendance and academic performance. Daquan McWilliams and Chaconia Jones, both educators, asked the district to provide parent sessions, FAQs and consistent professional learning so staff understand storage expectations, progressive discipline and documentation procedures.

Dr. Finley, who presented Section J of the policy packet, told the board the device policy (policy JCDAF) is intended to create a distraction‑reduced learning environment and was brought forward for a second read and possible adoption. He said the district has drafted implementing regulations and will solicit feedback from school leaders and staff before finalizing them. "Regulations have been created; however, we want to make sure we get the proper feedback before we push those out for implementation," Finley said.

On implementation details, Finley said each school will submit its proposed storage method for approval — options may include lockers, pouches, approved on‑person storage or other methods suited to the school's physical layout — and that the district will distribute a frequently asked questions guide to help staff answer parent inquiries. Keasia Walker, a district educator, highlighted that the policy explicitly recognizes accommodations for students with Individualized Education Program (IEP), Section 504 or medical plans and urged clarity on how those exceptions will be handled and monitored.

The presentation emphasized phased rollout: staff meetings and leader feedback are planned before broad communication to families, and the district intends to publish clear, school‑level information so front‑line staff can direct parents to the applicable storage method. Finley said the policy packet in board members' folders indicates which policies are being recommended for adoption now and which remain under review.

Next steps: the policy remains at second reading with board members able to ask follow‑up questions; staff said they would finalize regulations after stakeholder feedback and return with any recommended edits before a final adoption vote.