SYLACAUGA, Ala. – Beginning with the 2025-26 school year, Sylacauga City Schools will enforce a district-wide “Bell to Bell, No Cell” policy as part of its compliance with Alabama’s newly passed FOCUS Act.
The Freeing Our Classrooms of Unnecessary Screens for Safety (FOCUS) Act, signed into law by Gov. Kay Ivey, disallows the use and possession of certain personal electronic devices during the instructional day at all public K-12 campuses statewide.
At all Sylacauga City School campuses, students will be prohibited from using or carrying devices such as cell phones, smart watches, smart glasses, wireless earbuds, Bluetooth-enabled headphones, pagers, and any devices capable of transmitting data via Bluetooth or a mobile network during school hours.
Exemptions include school-issued devices used for instruction, personal devices required for documented medical needs, and those specified in a student’s Individualized Education Program or Section 504 Plan.
The law also mandates a new internet safety course for students before entering eighth grade.
For more details, visit the Sylacauga Board of Education Policy Manual.
