A new phone policy for the 2025–2026 school year is being implemented for Huntsville City Schools and other public school students in Alabama when they begin their first day of courses.
During the 2025 legislative session, the State of Alabama passed the Freeing our Classrooms of Unnecessary Screens for Safety (FOCUS) Act, also known as HB166. Cell phones and other portable electronics are mainly prohibited in schools, even in the hallway or during lunch.
Alabama has joined 30 other states and the District of Columbia in implementing this regulation, according to Education Week.
Huntsville City School policy
Every school board established a policy that complies with state law. Although students are permitted to carry mobile phones in their backpacks, they are not permitted to use them in class.Some school systems lock students’ phones throughout the school day with locking pouches, such as the Yondrpouch.
According to Dr. Clarence Sutton, superintendent of Huntsville City Schools, they are not going that way because it would cost about $500,000.
The FOCUS Act for Huntsville City SchoolsBymplotkaon Scribd
According to Sutton, we began by having faith in our students and community. We are requesting that they place their cell phone in their backpack because our previous policy was less strict. However, we trust them because we know that our community wants its pupils to have access to a phone for after-school activities or other purposes.
Prior to the FOCUS Act, students in Huntsville City were prohibited from using their phones in class. There were no severe repercussions for breaching the regulation while it was in effect. Students who use their phones in class could now be subject to harsh penalties.
READ MORE: Four items your student may not be permitted to bring to school in Alabama this fall include cellphones and Stanley cups.
They had the phone out the first time we spoke with you and your parents, explaining the policy, Dr. Sutton noted. We are requesting that they refrain from using their phones. We might ask you to turn the phone in the office till the end of the day if this is your second time. Your parent will still be contacted. When you violate our Code of Conduct for the third time, you may face in-school repercussions; if you violate it five or six more times, you may face out-of-school repercussions.
Reactions are mixed
Dr. Sutton said there have been a variety of responses to the new policy. Andrea Alvarez, a parent and member of the school board, claimed that the state regulation was an overreach of the government.
“Although we recently approved a law that restricts the use of a non-illegal possession, Alabama claims to be a conservative state,” Alvarez remarked. The legal age to own a cell phone is undefined. There is absolutely nothing unlawful about owning a cell phone. (…) Where is the policy of minimal government? In all honesty, the goal of the law should be security and safety.
She said that the authority of locally elected authorities, such school board members, is restricted by state regulations like the FOCUS ACT.
As a board member, I find it extremely aggravating because even though I was elected, I have no authority because every year they enact legislation that denies our local government the ability to decide what we want for our local schools, Alvarez said. If we are unable to manage our own education system, create our own policies, or identify what is and is not working, why do we have a school board?
Because they can be used as tools, she claims that teachers prefer that kids use phones in the classroom. They can record courses, snap pictures of PowerPoint presentations for notes, and more. Since phones can disrupt a lesson, Dr. Sutton believes teachers are happy to see them banned from classrooms.
The policy takes effect on August 4, the first day of classes. According to Dr. Sutton, there will only be a one-day grace period.
