Osceola County school board members spent Tuesday’s workshop meeting wrestling with a big digital question: how far should the district go in shutting down student tech in the classroom?
On the table was a draft overhaul of the Code of Student Conduct that would stretch current cell phone rules to cover smartwatches, smart glasses, and other wireless gadgets, and would block students from using artificial intelligence tools on tests and other assessments. The proposal would steer classroom work toward district-issued tablets and laptops and tighten the circumstances under which personal devices are allowed. The discussion, held before the board’s regular meeting, drew a mixed response from parents and school staff.
As reported by FOX 35 Orlando, the draft language calls out “smart devices, including glasses and watches” as items the district could keep out of classrooms, with the stated goal of keeping students focused on school-owned equipment. According to FOX 35’s recap, staff walked trustees through the proposed revisions, and the board did not take any final votes during the workshop.
What’s in the draft
The workshop packet given to trustees lays out edits that would broaden the definition of prohibited wireless communication devices and add specific language limiting the use of AI tools on district, state, and national standardized tests. The district’s public workshop materials are posted online, and, as reported by ClickOrlando, the draft would extend the ban to “any wireless communication device” while also spelling out when teachers can allow devices for instruction. ClickOrlando also notes that every student in Osceola County already receives a district-issued iPad or computer for schoolwork.
Parents split on AI and access
Public comments showed just how divided families are on the issue. Some parents urged the board to clamp down on personal devices, arguing that kids already have what they need through school technology.
“That’s where they do most of their work,” parent Jean-Marc Charaudeau told ClickOrlando, referring to district-issued devices. Other parents countered that AI tools and wearable tech can be valuable in the classroom as long as teachers set guardrails and keep close watch.
Existing rules and exemptions
The district is not starting from scratch. The current Code of Student Conduct already bans student phone use at school: “Students in the School District of Osceola County will not be permitted to use wireless communication devices (cell phones) upon entry to school campus,” the policy states. The code, which the board approved in July 2025, creates clear carve-outs for medical and disability-related needs, allowing device access when a student’s IEP, Section 504 plan, or a physician’s note requires it, and it pauses enforcement during genuine emergencies.
The proposed revisions would slot new wording about smart devices and AI into that existing framework rather than replace it.
How this fits statewide
Osceola’s debate is unfolding as Florida officials continue pushing districts toward stricter phone rules. A 2025 education bill directed the state Department of Education to develop a model policy limiting cell phone use during the school day and to partner with selected districts on rollout. The bill text on the Florida Senate website reflects a broader statewide shift that has prompted school boards across Florida to revisit their device policies.
For now, the Code of Student Conduct changes are still in the rulemaking and public comment phase, which means trustees can tweak the language before any formal vote. The district has posted the May 5 workshop packet and related documents on its School Board Meetings page so residents can read the draft for themselves and follow future agenda items.
