RUTHERFORD COUNTY, TN - Rutherford County School students returned to school last week (8/8/2025) and are facing a major shift in daily life: a new policy requires that student's put their cellphones away for the entire school day. County School's Chief Communications Officer James Evans notes that the new state law applies to pre-K - 12th grade. He also said a simple slogan was presented to all students: DURING THE DAY, PUT YOUR PHONES AWAY. Keep in mind that this is a new Tennessee law enacted by the legislature, all school districts had to adopt a policy to be in compliance with the state law. 

The change comes in response to a statewide law passed earlier this year by the Tennessee legislature. It bans student use of personal devices—including phones, smartwatches, and laptops—during instructional time. But Rutherford County has gone further, extending the ban to lunch, passing periods, and other non-instructional moments.

The move has stirred a range of reactions from local students, parents, educators, and lawmakers.

This is the first of an on-going series from NewsRadio WGNS on that topic. It is a forum for all opinions on this issue.  

One high school junior shared their concerns with WGNS, describing how the ban has affected their ability to connect with others and manage their day.

The student told WGNS, “I see classmates sitting alone at lunch, unable to connect with friends or family. I personally rely on my phone during the day to check in with my parents, coordinate school projects, and feel safe.”

While students understand the intent behind the law, they believe it strips away freedoms and creates new challenges for communication, mental health, and planning. They’re advocating for a compromise—perhaps allowing phone use during non-instructional times.

Local educators, however, have largely welcomed the change. Feedback from many Rutherford County educators note that classrooms are noticeably calmer now. 

Did you realize that cellphones have not been allowed in Rutherford County School system's classrooms since 2022. The regulation that began with this new school year, simply formalizes and expands the policy.

Across Tennessee, school districts are interpreting the law in different ways. Williamson County allows high schoolers to use phones during lunch and transitions, while Clarksville-Montgomery County has opted for a full-day ban similar to Rutherford. Wilson County leaves it up to individual schools to decide what’s allowed outside of class time.

Some parents have voiced concerns about being unable to reach their children during emergencies. State Rep. John Ray Clemmons raised the issue during legislative hearings, asking whether students would be able to contact family during lock-downs or crises. The final version of the law does allow phone use in emergencies, but implementation details are left to individual districts. Keep in mind, students in Rutherford County only put their phones away all day, but they have their phones with them. If an emergency arises, students have their phones. 

As the new school year gets underway, WGNS is inviting more voices from across Rutherford County—students, parents, and educators alike—to weigh in on the cellphone policy and its impact. For 78 years, this station has championed open dialogue as the foundation for meaningful progress. Whether these conversations lead to changes in policy or simply greater understanding, one thing is certain: the debate over phones in schools is just beginning. 

• See the bill HERE.

Bill Summary (From the TN General Assembly) - DISCIPLINE POLICIES AND CODES OF CONDUCT: Present law requires each local board of education and charter school governing body to adopt a discipline policy to apply to the students in each school operated by the LEA or charter school governing body.  Such a discipline policy or code of conduct adopted by a local board of education or charter school governing body may authorize a teacher to withhold a student's phone from the student for the duration of the instructional time if the student's phone is a distraction to the class or student.  For the 2025-2026 school year, and each school year thereafter, this bill revises the prior provision by, instead, authorizing a teacher to withhold a student's wireless communication device from the student for the duration of the instructional time if the student is noncompliant with the LEA's or public charter school's wireless communication device policy adopted pursuant to this bill.  

WIRELESS COMMUNICATION DEVICE POLICIES

For the 2025-2026 school year, and each school year thereafter, this bill requires each local board of education and each public charter school governing body to adopt and implement a wireless communication device policy that does all of the following:

• Except as provided in this bill, prohibits a student from using a wireless communication device during instructional time.
• Authorizes a teacher to allow a student to use a wireless communication device for educational purposes during instructional time.
• Permits a student to use a wireless communication device in the event of an emergency or to manage the student's health.
• Permits a student to use a wireless communication device during instructional time if the student's use of the wireless communication device is included in the student's individualized education program (IEP) or active 504 plan.
• Establishes a process by which parents or guardians of students will be contacted in the event of an emergency or possible emergency occurring at the school at which the parent's student is enrolled to ensure that the absence of, or restricted access to, wireless communication devices during the school day does not prevent parents from receiving notice of an emergency or possible emergency.

This bill requires each LEA and public charter school to publish the wireless communication device policy established pursuant to this bill on its website.

DEFINITION OF WIRELESS COMMUNICATION DEVICE

As used in this bill, a "wireless communication device" means a portable wireless device that has the capability to provide voice, messaging, or other data communication between two or more parties, including, but not limited to, cellular telephones, tablet computers, laptop computers, and gaming devices.

ON MARCH 3, 2025, THE HOUSE ADOPTED AMENDMENT #1 AND PASSED HOUSE BILL 932, AS AMENDED.

AMENDMENT #1 revises the provision that requires the wireless communication device policy to permit a student to use a wireless communication device during instructional time if the student's use of the device is included in the student's individualized education program (IEP) or active 504 plan to also include a situation where the device is included in the student's individual learning plan.

ON MARCH 6, 2025, THE SENATE SUBSTITUTED HOUSE BILL 932 FOR SENATE BILL 897, ADOPTED AMENDMENT #1, AND PASSED HOUSE BILL 932, AS AMENDED.

AMENDMENT #1 permits a student to use a wireless communication device during instructional time if the wireless communication device is being used by a student with a disability for the operation of assistive technology to increase, maintain, or improve the student's functional capabilities.

• This story marks the start of a continuing series exploring the issue. Please share your perspective, CLICK HERE.