Petition grows to remove phone bans in Richmond County schools
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) - More than 6,000 petition signatures the chorus of voices calling for Richmond County schools to rework their total ban on cellphones, smartwatches and headphones.
The conversations surrounding cell phones and tech in the classroom are nothing new.
But this policy is drawing in students and parents who say this isn’t the right way to go about addressing things.
We spoke with the student who started the petition on what change they want to see happen.
A new school year means new policies.
Students report to new Westmont Elementary after delays
After several construction delays at the new Westmont Elementary, students and staff are starting the week off with a fresh start Monday morning.
“You can’t have headphones or earbuds or anything out. You have to have it in your pocket or put it away in your backpack. If they see you pull it out during the day, they can take it,” said Hayden Griffin-Dunbar.
Griffin-Dunbar is a senior in the Richmond County School System.
“If you were on a break at work, as they call schoolwork to us, we should be able to use our phones. But we got to lunch and we weren’t able to use our phones,” said Griffin-Dunbar.
If they do have their phones, school policy says they could face up to four offenses, ranging from their phone being taken away until the end of the day to it being taken away for 10 school days, a meeting with their parents and three days of in-school suspension or even out of school suspension.
“I’m not saying to allow students to have their phones out all day. Do whatever they want. I’m like, allow us to have our phones during lunch and breakfast. At least allow us to listen to music sometimes, or like, when we’re done with work. Does it make sense to not allow us to have our phones at all,” said Griffin-Dunbar.
READ THE POLICY:
And many others agree. Comments on the petition show parents and students expressing their concerns about the new rule, with concerns about safety, emergencies and communication throughout the day.
“Glad that people are actually realizing that the phone rules are a little too brutal, and I’m glad it’s not just students agreeing with me, like students who want to be on their phones all day. I’m glad it’s not just that. It’s parents too,” said Griffin-Dunbar.
And he’s hoping students stepping up and using their voices will make a difference.
“Speak Out respectfully, because, at the end of the day, they’re no one’s educating us,” said Griffin-Dunbar.
We reached out to the Richmond County School District several times, but they are not ready to comment.
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