The Knoxville School Board officially approved a change to the district’s personal electronic device policy for students at their meeting Monday.

This new policy would ban cell phones and personal electronic devices during school hours for students. According to the new policy, personal electronic devices means any device that is capable of electronically communicating, sending, receiving, storing, recording, reproducing and/or displaying information and data. This comes from a recommendation from the school’s SIAC committee. District administration hopes some benefits from the cell phone ban will include improved student focus and engagement, enhanced teacher-student interaction, increased opportunities for social interaction, and a reduction of distractions. The complete new policy can be found here and will go into effect for students on Thursday.

Also at the meeting the board denied an open enrollment request, approved the elementary school handbook, a fundraising and overnight trip request, the 2025-2026 school calendar, and a Daktronics extended service agreement for Randy Wilson Track.