JACKSON, Miss. (WJTV) – The Jackson Public School District (JPS) held a community listening session on Thursday to discuss the proposed cellphone policy for schools.

Several people attended the meeting with open minds to learn more about the policy, as well as the disciplinary actions for students who disregard the rules. JPS is considering important changes in how personal electronic devices are used during the school day.

JPS Superintendent Dr. Errick L. Greene said the district already had a cellphone policy in place, but it was not as effective as anticipated. However, the revised policy provides a new approach.

“We, for years, have grappled with how best to help scholars make good choices with regard to their devices, whether it’s your phone or your headsets, your smartwatch, whatever, any of the devices. Unfortunately, we’re at a place now where we spend an enormous amount of time supporting scholars in making better choices and keeping themselves safe, others safe and engaging fully in their learning. We’re at the point now where we need to, be a bit more decisive about that and a bit more restrictive with that. And that’s how we’ve arrived at this policy or these policy amendments,” Greene said.

The public’s feedback will be reviewed by the administration and considered for possible amendments to the final proposal, which will be presented to the Board of Trustees on July 15. If approved, the policy would go into effect during the 2025-26 school year.