A new HCS Cell phone device policy has raised concerns among parents as to what will happen in the event of a school shooting. Thirty-nine school shootings in 2024 met the criteria for Education Week’s tracker—the second-highest total for any year since Education Week began tracking these incidents in 2018.
Horry County Schools previously shared a draft of the new HCS Cell Phone Device Policy [Personal Electronic Device Policy].
The Board of Education has approved that HCS Cell Phone Device Policy, which will go into effect on January 22, the first day of the second semester.
The HCS Cell Phone Device Policy is as follows.
Originally, we understood that we may be permitted at the building level to make exceptions for usage during non-instructional time (ie: lunch); however, that information was clarified during a meeting today.
The state proviso clearly states: “The school day is defined as when students enter the school building and ending when the dismissal bell sounds. These devices include cell phones and all other personal electronic devices and accessories including, but not limited to, air pods, smart watches, tablets, wireless earbuds, handheld gaming devices, etc.”
These devices MUST be stored in the student’s clear bookbag and must be powered off once students enter the building and remain off and out of sight until the end of the school day. Schools are not responsible for lost, stolen, or damaged devices.
To remain compliant with the South Carolina Proviso, students WILL NOT be able to use their phones during lunches or any other time during the school day.
Phones and other devices must be off and out of sight upon entry to the building.
For every cell phone/electronic device violation, the following will apply:
• Parents/guardians will be contacted.
• When confiscated, cell phones/electronic devices will be stored in a secure location until the parent is able to retrieve it.
• A parent/guardian must pick up the cell phone/electronic device from the front office between 7:45 am-8:20 am or 3:30 pm-4:30 pm.
Disciplinary consequences:
- 1st violation: Warning
- 2nd violation: 1 day ISS (in school suspension)
- 3rd violation: 2 days ISS
- 4th violation: 1 day OSS (out of school suspension)
- 5th violation: 3 days OSS
- 6th violation: 5 days OSS
- 7th: Evidentiary hearing If a student refuses to give up their cell phone or electronic device, the student will receive a referral for (270)
Refusal to Obey and the following this new HCS Cell phone device policy, consequences will apply:
- 1st violation: 1 day OSS
- 2nd violation: 1- 3 days OSS
- 3rd violation: 3 – 5 days OSS
- 4th violation: Evidentiary hearing Stronger
Local News Via - MyrtleBeachSC.com
