Recently, the Kentucky Legislature amended KRS 158.165, which now prohibits student use of personal telecommunication devices during instructional time unless the teacher specifically directs it for instructional purposes or in the event of an emergency.

The Walton-Verona Independent School District had already included this into its annual Code of Conduct last year; however, this rule is now in place in every school in our state.

While Walton-Verona Schools embrace technology and its many educational and real-world uses, we also value our students’ ability to learn in an environment free from the distractions often associated with personal devices. Moreover, eliminating cell phone usage during instructional time will help to promote face-to-face communication among students, which will ultimately help them grow in those essential skills as well.