{ "_metadata": { "source": "https://simbli.eboardsolutions.com/Policy/ViewPolicy.aspx?S=36030397&revid=BxYvuEplussq8slshWtVXQ1Z2Usg==", "scrapedAt": "2026-05-24T20:11:49.868Z", "method": "Playwright + Simbli ViewPolicy API scraper" }, "code": "5131.8", "title": "Mobile Communication Devices", "type": "BP", "section": "5000", "lastRevised": "06/25/2025", "lastReviewed": "06/25/2025", "hasAttachment": false, "revid": "BxYvuEplussq8slshWtVXQ1Z2Usg==", "contentHtml": "\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\n\nThe Governing Board recognizes that student use of smartphones and other mobile communication devices on campus could be harmful and disruptive of the instructional program in some circumstances.
\nStudents shall not use smartphones or other mobile communication devices while at a school site, except in the limited circumstances described below:  (Education Code 48901.5, 48901.7)\n
    \n\t
  1. In the case of an emergency, or in response to a perceived threat of danger
    2. \n\t
  2. When a teacher or administrator grants permission to the student to possess or use a mobile communication device, subject to any reasonable limitation imposed by that teacher or administrator
    3. \n\t
  3. When a licensed physician or surgeon determines that the possession or use is necessary for the student's health and well-being  
    4. \n\t
  4. When the possession or use is required by the student's individualized education program
    5. \n
\nThe Superintendent or designee may undertake measures or strategies in accordance with law, to limit student access to smartphones and other mobile communication devices on campus. (Education Code 48901.7)
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\nSmartphones and other mobile communication devices shall not be used in any manner which infringes on the privacy rights of any other person.
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\nA student's personal electronic device shall not be searched without the consent of the student's parent/guardian, except pursuant to a lawfully issued warrant, when a school official, in good faith, believes that an emergency involving danger of death or serious physical injury to the student or others requires access to the electronic device information, or when the search is otherwise permitted pursuant to Penal Code 1546.1.
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\nWhen a student uses a mobile communication device in an unauthorized manner while at a school site or under the supervision and control of a district employee, the student may be disciplined and the district employee may temporarily confiscate the device.  The employee shall store the device securely until it is returned to the student or turned over to the principal or designee, as appropriate.
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\nA student may also be subject to discipline, in accordance with law, Board policy, or administrative regulation, for off-campus use of a mobile communication device which poses a threat or danger to the safety of students, staff, or district property or substantially disrupts school activities.
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\nThe district will not be responsible or liable for a student's mobile communication device which is brought on campus or to a school activity and is lost, stolen, or damaged.
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\nThe Board shall review and, as necessary, update this policy at least once every five years. Any such review or update shall include significant stakeholder participation to ensure that the policy is responsive to the unique needs and desires of the school community.\n\n", "contentText": "The Governing Board recognizes that student use of smartphones and other mobile communication devices on campus could be harmful and disruptive of the instructional program in some circumstances.\n\nStudents shall not use smartphones or other mobile communication devices while at a school site, except in the limited circumstances described below: (Education Code 48901.5, 48901.7)\n\n- In the case of an emergency, or in response to a perceived threat of danger\n\n- When a teacher or administrator grants permission to the student to possess or use a mobile communication device, subject to any reasonable limitation imposed by that teacher or administrator\n\n- When a licensed physician or surgeon determines that the possession or use is necessary for the student's health and well-being \n\n- When the possession or use is required by the student's individualized education program\n\nThe Superintendent or designee may undertake measures or strategies in accordance with law, to limit student access to smartphones and other mobile communication devices on campus. (Education Code 48901.7)\n\nSmartphones and other mobile communication devices shall not be used in any manner which infringes on the privacy rights of any other person.\n\nA student's personal electronic device shall not be searched without the consent of the student's parent/guardian, except pursuant to a lawfully issued warrant, when a school official, in good faith, believes that an emergency involving danger of death or serious physical injury to the student or others requires access to the electronic device information, or when the search is otherwise permitted pursuant to Penal Code 1546.1.\n\nWhen a student uses a mobile communication device in an unauthorized manner while at a school site or under the supervision and control of a district employee, the student may be disciplined and the district employee may temporarily confiscate the device. The employee shall store the device securely until it is returned to the student or turned over to the principal or designee, as appropriate.\n\nA student may also be subject to discipline, in accordance with law, Board policy, or administrative regulation, for off-campus use of a mobile communication device which poses a threat or danger to the safety of students, staff, or district property or substantially disrupts school activities.\n\nThe district will not be responsible or liable for a student's mobile communication device which is brought on campus or to a school activity and is lost, stolen, or damaged.\n\nThe Board shall review and, as necessary, update this policy at least once every five years. Any such review or update shall include significant stakeholder participation to ensure that the policy is responsive to the unique needs and desires of the school community.", "footnotes": [ { "type": "State", "references": [ { "code": "5 CCR 300-307", "description": "Duties of students", "url": "https://govt.westlaw.com/calregs/Browse/Home/California/CaliforniaCodeofRegulations?guid=I2A983D204C6911EC93A8000D3A7C4BC3&transitionType=Default&contextData=%28sc.Default%29#I2A99EAD34C6911EC93A8000D3A7C4BC3" }, { "code": "Civ. Code 1714.1", "description": "Liability of parent/guardian for act of willful misconduct by a minor", "url": "http://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?sectionNum=1714.1.&lawCode=CIV" }, { "code": "Ed. Code 200-262.4", "description": "Prohibition of discrimination", "url": "http://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displayText.xhtml?division=1.&chapter=2.&part=1.&lawCode=EDC&title=1.&article=1." }, { "code": "Ed. Code 32280-32289.5", "description": "School safety plans", "url": "https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displayText.xhtml?lawCode=EDC&division=1.&title=1.&part=19.&chapter=2.5.&article=5." }, { "code": "Ed. Code 35181", "description": "Governing board authority to set policy on responsibilities of students", "url": "https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=EDC§ionNum=35181." }, { "code": "Ed. Code 35291-35291.5", "description": "Rules", "url": "https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displayText.xhtml?lawCode=EDC&division=3.&title=2.&part=21.&chapter=2.&article=10." }, { "code": "Ed. Code 44807", "description": "Teachers' duty concerning conduct of students", "url": "https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=EDC§ionNum=44807." }, { "code": "Ed. Code 48900-48925", "description": "Suspension and expulsion", "url": "https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displayText.xhtml?lawCode=EDC&division=4.&title=2.&part=27.&chapter=6.&article=1." }, { "code": "Ed. Code 48901.5", "description": "Prohibition of electronic signaling devices", "url": "https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=EDC§ionNum=48901.5." }, { "code": "Ed. Code 48901.7", "description": "Limitation or prohibition of student use of smartphones", "url": "https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=EDC§ionNum=48901.7." }, { "code": "Ed. Code 48901.8", "description": "Limitation or prohibition of student use of social media", "url": "" }, { "code": "Ed. Code 51512", "description": "Prohibited use of electronic listening or recording device", "url": "https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=EDC§ionNum=51512." }, { "code": "Pen. Code 1546.1", "description": "Electronic Communications Privacy Act", "url": "" }, { "code": "Pen. Code 288.2", "description": "Harmful matter with intent to seduce", "url": "https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=PEN§ionNum=288.2." }, { "code": "Pen. Code 313", "description": "Harmful matter", "url": "https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=PEN§ionNum=313." }, { "code": "Pen. Code 647", "description": "Use of camera or other instrument to invade person's privacy; misdemeanor", "url": "https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=PEN§ionNum=647." }, { "code": "Pen. Code 653.2", "description": "Electronic communication devices; threats to safety", "url": "https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=PEN§ionNum=653.2." }, { "code": "Veh. Code 23123-23124", "description": "Prohibitions against use of electronic devices while driving", "url": "https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displayText.xhtml?lawCode=VEH&division=11.&title=&part=&chapter=12.&article=1." } ] }, { "type": "Federal", "references": [ { "code": "20 USC 1681-1688", "description": "Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972; discrimination based on sex", "url": "" } ] }, { "type": "Management Resources", "references": [ { "code": "California Department of Education Publication", "description": "Bullying at School, 2003", "url": "https://www.cde.ca.gov/ls/ss/se/documents/bullyingatschool.pdf" }, { "code": "Court Decision", "description": "Safford Unified School District V. Redding (2009) 557 US 364", "url": "" }, { "code": "Court Decision", "description": "Mahanoy Area School District v. B.L. (2021) 594 U.S. 180", "url": "" }, { "code": "Court Decision", "description": "J.C. v. Beverly Hills Unified School District (2010) 711 F.Supp.2d 1094", "url": "https://www.govinfo.gov/#advanced" }, { "code": "Court Decision", "description": "New Jersey v. T.L.O. (1985) 469 U.S. 325", "url": "https://law.justia.com/cases/" }, { "code": "Court Decision", "description": "Tinker v. Des Moines Independent Community School District (1969) 393 U.S. 503", "url": "https://law.justia.com/cases/" }, { "code": "CSBA Publication", "description": "Cyberbullying: Policy Considerations for Boards, Policy Brief, rev. July 2010", "url": "https://www.csba.org/~/media/Files/Services/PolicyServices/SamplePolicies/Cyberbullying.ashx" }, { "code": "CSBA Publication", "description": "Safe Schools: Strategies for Governing Boards to Ensure Student Success, 2011", "url": "https://www.csba.org/GovernanceAndPolicyResources/ConditionsOfChildren/~/~/media/722EF232A117447F9711112F75FBC212.ashx" }, { "code": "U.S. Department of Education Publication", "description": "Planning Together: A Playbook for Student Personal Device Policies, December 2024", "url": "https://tech.ed.gov/device-policy-playbook/" }, { "code": "Website", "description": "CSBA District and County Office of Education Legal Services", "url": "https://legalservices.csba.org/" }, { "code": "Website", "description": "National School Safety Center", "url": "http://www.schoolsafety.us" }, { "code": "Website", "description": "Center for Safe and Responsible Internet Use", "url": "https://www.ewa.org/organization/center-safe-and-responsible-internet-use" }, { "code": "Website", "description": "California Department of Education, Safe Schools", "url": "https://www.ed.gov/about/ed-offices/oese/safe-supportive-schools" }, { "code": "Website", "description": "CSBA", "url": "http://www.csba.org" }, { "code": "Website", "description": "U.S. Department of Education", "url": "http://www.ed.gov" } ] } ], "crossRefs": [ { "code": "0450", "title": "Comprehensive Safety Plan", "type": "AR" }, { "code": "0450", "title": "Comprehensive Safety Plan", "type": "AR" }, { "code": "5131", "title": "Conduct", "type": "AR" }, { "code": "5131.2", "title": "Bullying", "type": "AR" }, { "code": "5131.2", "title": "Bullying", "type": "AR" }, { "code": "5131.4", "title": "Student Disturbances", "type": "AR" }, { "code": "5131.4", "title": "Student Disturbances", "type": "AR" }, { "code": "5131.9", "title": "Academic Honesty", "type": "AR" }, { "code": "5137", "title": "Positive School Climate", "type": "AR" }, { "code": "5141.52", "title": "Suicide Prevention", "type": "AR" }, { "code": "5141.52", "title": "Suicide Prevention", "type": "AR" }, { "code": "5145.12", "title": "Search And Seizure", "type": "AR" }, { "code": "5145.2", "title": "Freedom Of Speech/Expression", "type": "AR" }, { "code": "5145.2", "title": "Freedom Of Speech/Expression", "type": "AR" }, { "code": "6159", "title": "Individualized Education Program", "type": "AR" }, { "code": "6159", "title": "Individualized Education Program", "type": "AR" }, { "code": "6163.4", "title": "Student Use Of Technology", "type": "AR" }, { "code": "6163.4", "title": "Student Use Of Technology", "type": "AR" }, { "code": "6163.4-E PDF(1)", "title": "Student Use Of Technology", "type": "AR" } ], "attachments": [] }