Personal Electronic Device (PED) Grades 6-12 Procedures
Purpose
To promote improved mental health, academic focus, student engagement, school safety, and face-to-face interaction by restricting student use of personal electronic devices during the school day except as specifically permitted by law or district policy.
General Information
- As stated in Utah Code 53G-7-227, students may not use personal electronic devices (PEDs- cellphones, smartwatches, earbuds, AI glasses, or other emerging technologies) during the school day from the first bell to the last bell unless specifically permitted under this policy.
- PEDs at schools must be silenced and stored out of sight unless authorized for use. Codedefined exceptions for use are listed in the “Permitted Use” section below.
- Except for the “Permitted Use” exceptions listed below, PED use is prohibited in locker rooms, restrooms, and shower facilities. See “Privacy in Bathrooms, Locker Rooms, and/or Dressing Areas” section below.
- Students who choose to bring PEDs to school do so at their own risk. The school district assumes no liability for lost, stolen, or damaged devices.
- Students who violate this policy may be subject to progressive disciplinary action, including warnings, confiscation, parent contact, loss of privileges, and other
- consequences consistent with district discipline policies.
Permitted Use
Students may use PEDs during the school day only for:
- Responding to an imminent threat to health or safety
- Responding to a school-wide emergency
- Accessing the SafeUT Crisis Line
- Compliance with an IEP, Section 504 Plan, or documented medical necessity
- Educational use specifically authorized by a teacher or administrator
- Communication approved by school staff
Parent-Requested Accommodation
A parent or guardian may request that their student be permitted to briefly use a personal electronic device during non-instructional time, in a school-designated area, for reasons not otherwise covered under the “Permitted Use” exceptions above. To request this accommodation:
- The parent/guardian must submit the request to the school administration in writing (e.g., via a school’s standard accommodation request form or by
- contacting the principal’s office directly).
- The school will designate a specific area and timeframe (limited to noninstructional time, such as lunch or passing periods) for the approved use.
- Approved accommodations will be documented and communicated to the student’s teachers as needed.
- This accommodation is intended for brief, limited use consistent with the parent’s stated reason and does not authorize unrestricted device use during the school day.
- Schools will respond to accommodation requests in a timely manner and may approve, modify, or deny requests based on the specific circumstances presented, consistent with the school’s obligation to maintain a safe and focused learning environment.
The board authorizes secondary schools, in consultation with their School Community Councils, to permit limited student use of personal electronic devices during designated non-instructional periods, including lunch and passing periods. Any such exception shall be consistent with district policy and procedure and shall be reviewed annually prior to October 1st. Non-instructional time is designated as:
- Passing times
- Lunch time
- Bus transportation to and from school events
Expectations During Class
If work cannot reasonably be done on a school-provided device, teachers may allow PED use during their respective class times for approved educational activities only. Students should never be disadvantaged or penalized in classroom settings for not having access to a PED.
Use of Cellular Devices on Buses or During School Activities
- PED usage by students while riding to and from school on a bus is at the discretion of the bus driver.
- During transportation for school-sponsored activities, students' use of PEDs is prohibited unless authorized by the bus driver, advisor, or administrator for safety or educational purposes, or approved by a school’s community council.
- Students may not use cameras or audio recorders on school buses.
- The CCSD Appropriate Use Policy applies to PED use on buses or during school activities.
Violation Consequences
Schools may impose additional restrictions or consequences for violations beyond those outlined here, but must notify parents and students annually at the beginning of the school year. Failure to adhere to the guidelines above may result in disciplinary measures such as:
- 1st Violation: Verbal warning. Students may be asked to turn off their devices in the teacher's presence and to put them away.
- 2nd Violation: Devices may be taken away until the end of the day and returned to the student. Offense will be logged in PowerSchool, and the parent will be notified.
- 3rd Violation: A parent conference is required, and the parent must retrieve the device. Devices may be taken away from the student and must be picked up by the student’s parents during school hours or after school. Consultation with a school administrator may be required by the parent/guardian and/or the student. Offense will be logged in PowerSchool.
- 4th+ Violations: Students may lose the privilege to use devices on district property. Offense will be logged in PowerSchool.
Note: Personal Electronic Devices (e.g., cell phones) used to record confrontations or altercations may be confiscated, retained, and used as evidence for as long as necessary to support investigations or disciplinary actions.
Privacy in Bathrooms, Locker Rooms, and/or Dressing Areas
Individuals who use school district bathrooms, locker rooms, and/or dressing areas have a right to a safe environment, which includes a reasonable assurance that the district will not tolerate the use of audio or visual recording devices, including a cell phone, in changing areas, rest rooms, or locker rooms, to record or transfer images or recordings from these areas. To ensure the privacy of all individuals is protected, the district has adopted these regulations to prevent any violation of this right.
- When the District has reason to believe that any person has violated this prohibition regarding the transmission of pictures of persons from the bathroom, locker room, and/or dressing area, or has, in any other way, violated the right of privacy within these areas, the building principal shall contact local law enforcement representatives and make the appropriate reports.
- School officials may confiscate a device when there is reasonable suspicion that the device has been used in violation of law or District policy. Any search of the digital contents of a personally owned device shall be conducted only when authorized by applicable law. When circumstances may involve criminal conduct, administrators should preserve the device and consult law enforcement rather than search its digital contents independently.
- Any person who violates this policy may be subject to prosecution, suspension, and/or a recommendation for expulsion.
Staff Responsibility
- Teachers will review the policy with students at the beginning of each term and report any repeat violations.
- Flexibility for PED use will be allowed in emergency situations. However, PED use should not interfere with the students' ability to follow directions or adhere to safety advice from school personnel.
References
Utah Code § 53G-7-227 (2024). Use of personal electronic devices in public schools.
https://le.utah.gov/
Edited by District Administration: August 27, 2026