[{"_1":2,"_100":-5,"_101":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6209724,"mediaKeyId","3733967-15e3996fb806e308c80f899291ea299e","parentId",3733967,"title","Board Approves New Personal Electronic Device Policy After Lengthy Debate","audioSeconds",3100,"startMs",6300000,"endMs",9400000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3733967-15e3996fb806e308c80f899291ea299e&start=6300&end=9400","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3733967-15e3996fb806e308c80f899291ea299e/thumbnail_6300000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6209724/Tennessee/Board-Approves-New-Personal-Electronic-Device-Policy-After-Lengthy-Debate","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6209724-4bef10614b2a73090f452ddb13131d43/orig.mp4?Expires=1770636734&Signature=I2LLDNRCENvIqTYxIJTs~luwBC9VLYdUkaXg-05nFL6UswyS0OsvyFkmUCdcoDh1dwtD33rspeV1uRArjembIAx7pzZFmjZjk7rYYIrHscFOIcsH7ZvwKugwAbhiBLAZ8Z8A5SoXDG4Bf3W1JCIQQ-pRjT1HgUtNq345xg5GpMCZNt~TXKC2vyzmpE4ToujcXiGkYv3NSCf1GnJk4OKNxKKIpp8qxXwMS4v-GvZVS8JzOBnRAs~xaJmiNmuz1XxQE5ZbDTU01mxHPoX7~P69VzdmjMLNafZkmTQOhTwRnmVKHbTV~BOmfJB4itTNiVa8sBwm0b9mRAoPxrkk6hdGGg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Coffee County Schools","date","2025-06-05T12:25:04Z","article","The Coffee County Board of Education approved a new policy restricting student use and possession of personal electronic devices during school hours after a lengthy and sometimes heated debate on June 9.

First sentence/nut graf: The board voted to adopt Policy 6.312, which generally requires students to keep wireless communication devices powered off and out of sight during instructional time and restricts use during non-instructional periods in order to reduce safety and disciplinary problems the district associates with in-school device use.

Why it matters: Trustees, principals and staff spent multiple committee sessions and more than three hours at the June meeting discussing safety, enforcement and student access to devices for legitimate purposes. Supporters said stricter limits reduce incidents linked to device use between classes and at lunch; critics said the policy could be overly broad and requested clarifying language about teacher discretion, student health needs and noninstructional periods.

Policy highlights and exceptions: The adopted policy permits device possession so long as devices are turned off and stored (backpacks, purses or personal carry-ons) during instructional time. The policy allows device use for health emergencies and to manage documented health needs (IEPs/504 plans), and it instructs that teachers may authorize device use for specific instructional activities in the classroom. Enforcement is structured as escalating offenses with penalties for unauthorized use. The policy text and a related memorandum of understanding (MOU) also reference legal limits on searches and seizures and emphasize the need for coordinated implementation.

Board discussion and committee work: The policy committee reported multiple meetings on the issue, including participation from legal counsel who advised on limits tied to searches and safety. Principals told trustees that some schools already restrict devices during lunch and between classes; others said lockers or other local measures vary by campus. Several trustees said consistent, district-wide enforcement is essential if the new policy is to be effective.

Vote: Following limited debate (the board moved to close further deliberation under procedure), the board approved the policy. The recorded votes during the final motion were reported as 7 in favor, 2 opposed and 2 abstentions.

Implementation notes: Board members said the policy is a starting point and can be amended after implementation. Principals and staff will apply the policy to student handbooks and day-to-day discipline, and the district will incorporate the policy text into the responsible use policy and student handbooks as needed. The board asked administration to monitor implementation and to return with any recommended adjustments.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Coffee County School Board Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","After several hours of discussion and two policy committee meetings, the board voted to approve a new policy limiting student possession and use of personal electronic devices during school time, with exceptions for health emergencies and specified instructional uses.","taxTitle","Coffee County, School Districts, Tennessee","taxId",78394,"location","Tennessee","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6209730,"Board Defers Vote on Student Fees After Wide-Ranging Discussion; Work Session Slated",2085,3045000,5130000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3733967-15e3996fb806e308c80f899291ea299e&start=3045&end=5130","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3733967-15e3996fb806e308c80f899291ea299e/thumbnail_3045000.jpg","/articles/6209730/Tennessee/Board-Defers-Vote-on-Student-Fees-After-Wide-Ranging-Discussion-Work-Session-Slated","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6209730-4df3f2627c5cabe52285caf803585bc2/orig.mp4?Expires=1770636734&Signature=FkqoKa0RfjKwdWkqC99wgkT9Uk-pb7IDJq8zEqxib36bbgiF3jJhxdTJB~eRDeUcJxQYSUOhSgH31SWyq3JWShm-K4U6Uye-dfJMsKBthI~pdfJRoYrIGELxzvFVL-GBVx1MSkUl-0mMlcfnCfM38sE1qMrBs94JiX1Ju8Aq5ILAe-bhjH~gEiRqYH~xIlM5MU9n4U~LnD61G43jf7QQbGd9kgZrPVp47KxJchnWxnfUjpJCfvydo7lJrbmGMCBZ0ZKGuo5OhO0x07-Udj7ejf-ExxfduMCHWdtfe3Xd33kaNh1tHOwhZw~DQxkk3pzmjSJ4Q5pAIKVQGs-sg2JuLA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Coffee County Board of Education deferred action on next year's student fees after an extended discussion on June 9 that exposed differing views about whether the district should eliminate fees and cover costs with public funds.

The nut of the issue: Board members and staff reviewed a school-by-school summary of fees collected this year and how the district currently distributes fee-waiver funds. Board members noted parents had contributed roughly $10,000 in direct fees to several schools, while district-level instructional and departmental allocations related to the same categories brought the total activity in the tens of thousands. Trustees said they needed clearer, consolidated budget numbers before approving changes.

Why it matters: The district collects modest student fees at schools for items such as classroom supplies, band, or advanced-course materials; schools may also use fee-waiver allocations for students who qualify. Trustees said fees can ease teachers' budget pressures for classroom consumables but also create inequities and community concern when parents are repeatedly asked for small payments. Some trustees argued the district should fund basic supplies centrally; others urged caution because covering all listed fees districtwide could be a materially larger budget commitment than the portion currently paid by parents.

What was discussed: Administration provided a breakdown showing several schools collected small amounts this year (examples offered: ~ $6,316 at the high school, $3,300 at the middle school, and smaller amounts at others) and reported the district provided approximately $33,005.93 in fee-waiver allocations that year. Board members asked for a clearer reconciliation of total instructional supply spending, departmental allocations, and parent-collected fees so the board could see what the district actually pays and what remains covered by families.

Budget and process questions: Trustees asked whether the state or federal funding formulas offset any of these fees under the district's funding (TISA/BEP history was discussed) and whether increasing central allocations would require a budget amendment or could be handled through existing lines. Administration said some transfers could be made from existing lines but a formal budget amendment might be required depending on which accounts are used and the timing.

Outcome: Trustees agreed to withdraw an earlier motion to approve the fee schedule and to postpone final action. Board members asked administration to provide more detailed, school-level and department-level budget projections, including the difference between parent-collected fees and overall materials spending, at the upcoming work session the week following the meeting. The item was deferred to that work session rather than being voted on June 9.

Ending: Board members emphasized a desire to reduce burdens on families while maintaining instructional resources for teachers; the board asked staff for a consolidated proposal with exact dollar impacts so trustees could consider a targeted budget amendment or other funding change at a later meeting.","The Coffee County Board of Education reviewed school-by-school fee collections and debated whether the district should absorb roughly $10,000 to $45,000 in parental fees. Board members agreed to defer a final decision and asked administration for clearer budget projections at a June work session.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6209735,"Coffee County to Offer Free Breakfast and Lunch Next School Year Under CEP Pilot",613,627000,1240000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3733967-15e3996fb806e308c80f899291ea299e&start=627&end=1240","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3733967-15e3996fb806e308c80f899291ea299e/thumbnail_627000.jpg","/articles/6209735/Tennessee/Coffee-County-to-Offer-Free-Breakfast-and-Lunch-Next-School-Year-Under-CEP-Pilot","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6209735-e19b994324e723201e04b44e085777e5/orig.mp4?Expires=1770636734&Signature=F6HKIGERXkluuZ~NNvi4HmavqynbPX01Nw8gL159Ea9ACh9yJORGPhHLo1jP0Ei8WAMJ6FadH-jVJkeGJJj0CdP-tP-s4UVmiPhavHNv3a45fHZrL40hcRbc9Rvqvf5RTmUvv33vxKxSI2FEOMTOiHc7fZdsyDQWgwsJl2ChSqAOvTcDkv84O~8AcK5~2YrG1Fj~-P~uDzPDY2MZrEMlR6rcIB0Ull9~cqbU3vyvYqQLMXrqUBvVtDS83dKqH5vuXVSy4qGf0V4aVkKczC2n1YxsxGGj1ViltXFuVBIP6dsCEhaNJ7igbp~Z54tjsElMpRaNBvbW-GupGIk4Y17Ehg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Coffee County Schools will offer free breakfast and lunch to all students next school year under a one-year pilot of the federal Community Eligibility Provision, school nutrition staff told the Coffee County Board of Education on June 9.

The Community Eligibility Provision, or CEP, is a U.S. Department of Agriculture option that lets eligible school districts serve all enrolled students breakfast and lunch at no charge without collecting household meal applications, the presenter said.

Why it matters: CEP can increase meal participation and reduce household paperwork, but it shifts some financial risk to districts because a fixed federal reimbursement formula does not cover every meal for every participation level. Coffee County officials said they plan to pilot CEP and reevaluate after one year to confirm fiscal viability.

At the meeting, the district's presenter explained how eligibility is calculated and the district's expected reimbursement. CEP eligibility is determined by the district's identified student percentage (ISP), the share of students directly certified for free meals through participation in means-tested programs (SNAP, TANF), foster/homeless/migrant status, or state-designated Medicaid flags. Coffee County's combined ISP is 50.67 percent, above the 25 percent threshold required to adopt CEP for all schools as a group.

Under CEP's formula, the identified student percentage is multiplied by 1.6 to produce the share of meals reimbursed at the federal free rate. For Coffee County an ISP of 50.67 percent yields about 81.07 percent of meals reimbursed at the free federal rate; the remaining roughly 18.93 percent would be reimbursed at the federal paid rate. Using last year's federal per-meal rates cited by staff, the free lunch rate was $4.54 and the paid lunch rate was $0.53; free breakfast was $2.84 and paid breakfast $0.39. The presenter cautioned those exact per-meal rates for the coming year had not yet been published by USDA.

District financial considerations: The presenter said CEP reduces administrative burden and will likely increase meals served, which raises reimbursements if participation grows. However, CEP can produce a funding shortfall if meal counts do not rise as projected, and participating schools must cover any shortages with nonfederal funds (state, local, or district fund balance). Coffee County's nutrition program has a fund balance that staff said can offset a gap if necessary; the board was told staff does not currently anticipate dipping into district fund reserves but will seek board approval if transfers are required.

Implementation plan and approvals: The presenter explained districts elect CEP for a four-year cycle but may reapply early if ISP improves. She said the state's procedures allow the director of schools to approve CEP participation and that she and Director of Schools Michael Hargrove had discussed and supported piloting CEP for one year, after which the board will review financial outcomes. Because the state characterized the action as director-approved, the board struck the CEP item from the consent agenda at the meeting and did not take a formal vote.

Other feeding work: Staff also reported an expanded summer feeding effort using non-congregate seven-day meal packs; a recent distribution at the middle school gave 967 meals in a single Friday distribution and will continue through the summer with schedule adjustments.

What's next: Staff will implement the CEP election and operate the pilot next school year, monitor meal participation and reimbursements, and return to the board at the end of the year with fiscal results and a recommendation about continuing the program for the full CEP cycle.

Ending: Board members praised staff for the outreach and summer feeding work and asked staff to notify the board if any fund-balance transfers become necessary to cover meal program costs.","School nutrition staff told the Coffee County Board of Education the district qualifies for the USDA\u0000Community Eligibility Provision and plans a one-year pilot next school year, with district fund balance to cover potential shortfalls and a review at year-end.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Board Approves New Personal Electronic Device Policy After Lengthy Debate

Board Defers Vote on Student Fees After Wide-Ranging Discussion; Work Session Slated

Coffee County to Offer Free Breakfast and Lunch Next School Year Under CEP Pilot