Student possession of cell phones in the Fort Knox Community Schools is allowable subject to the following rules and regulations.
Though allowed, cell phones are a distraction and may become a tempting prohibition to students, which can result in disciplinary action and may include suspension and loss of academic learning time and the opportunity to make-up missed work.
With this in mind, the administration and the Board of Education request that if parents choose to allow their students to possess cell phones at school, please establish an understanding with them that, during school hours, all cell phones must remain turned off and in lockers, book bags or in vehicles. While in the school building, students are not allowed to have cell phones/electronic devices in their possession.
Additionally, the school system prohibits the use of all communication devices that, in its opinion, have limited or no educational value or their use creates learner distraction and disruption. The school system reserves the right to define the educational value of any new electronic wireless communication devices that may become available to the public in the future and to prohibit their use if they have little or no educational value or if such use creates learner distraction or disruption.
Possession of a cell phone by a student is a privilege, which may be forfeited by any student not abiding by the terms of this policy. This policy statement serves as a first warning, detailing the prohibitions and discipline, associated with the Fort Knox Community Schools’ cell phone use policy.
Students shall be personally and solely responsible for the security of their cell phones. The Fort Knox Community Schools shall not assume responsibility for theft, loss, or damage of a cell phone/electronic device, or unauthorized calls made on a cell phone.
Use of Cell Phones on School Grounds
A student may possess a cell phone on school property, at after school activities, and at school-related functions, if during school hours the cell phone remains off, concealed and secured in lockers, vehicles, or book bags during the academic day.
Picture phones (camera phones) are viewed as cameras, and are allowable only by the camera policy that is presently in place. The administration and the Board of Education believe that picture phones can pose the same threats as cameras to freedoms of privacy, can exploit personal information through use, and can possibly create problems/issues in custody situations.
Disciplinary Action
If a student chooses to bring a cell phone to school, the student and his or her sponsor are responsible to ensure all guidelines are followed. Disciplinary action will be at the discretion of the school principal.
NOTE: Confiscated phones will be returned to the student’s sponsor only; also, if any criminal violations may have been allegedly committed, the MPs will be called and the phone turned over as evidence.
