Parents whose children stay after school for extracurricular activities may soon have the peace of mind of knowing their kids can reach them by phone if practice is cancelled or ends early.

The Limestone County School system is revisiting its cell phone use policy, following the example of surrounding counties like Madison, which changed its policy this fall to allow students to have phones at school as long as they do not use them during school hours.

Earlier this year, the Alabama Legislature passed a bill allowing school boards to set their own policies concerning cell phones.

The current Limestone County School policy on cell phone use follows the previous Alabama state law banning cell phones in schools.

“We are in the process of developing a policy to present for the board’s consideration,” said Richard Leath, Limestone County assistant superintendent. The Limestone County School Board will meet Monday.

The proposed policy, if passed, would allow students to have cell phones on school premises, as long as they are out of sight and remain turned off between classes.

“If it passes on Monday night, it will go into effect immediately,” said Superintendent Dr. Barry Carroll.

Local principals say that they have not had any serious disciplinary problems with cell phone use in schools. Most say that there are a few students who will abuse the privilege, but disciplinary policies are in place to control misuse, such as confiscation of the cell phone where only the parents may pick up the device, and out of school suspension.

Ardmore High School Principal Mike Owens said he understands parents’ concerns and his daughter had a cell phone when she was a teenager.

“I’ve got one on my hip just like everyone else does,” he said.

However, Owens said the restrictions for students are there for reasons, including the issue of privacy with camera phones, the opportunity of cheating on tests and other schoolwork, and the general distraction of a cell phone in the classroom. He added that children and parents, alike, can use the school’s landline between the hours of 8a.m. until 3 p.m.

“It’s a safety standpoint and parental standpoint for the parents to be able to talk to them after school hours,” he said.

The Athens City Schools, who have only one high school, Athens High School, in the system, remains consistent with pass policy on the issue.

“Our policy is the same as it had been in the past,” said Dr. Orman Bridges, Athens City School superintendent. “They can only have them for health or extraordinary needs and with prior permission of the principal during school hours.”

He said the general consensus among principals is that student should not have cell phones in the classrooms.

The Athens City School Board currently has not updated their cell-phone policy but most schools have an understanding with for needs of the student and parents.

“We understand that students need those devices for after school activities to call parents, get rides, and things of that nature. So we work with them on that,” said Chris Bolen, Athens High School principal.

He said that cell phone abuse has not been an issue at Athens High School and that the students respect the unofficial policy.

“Our students have historically honored the ideal that, ‘If I turn my cell phone off and it does not become a distraction to the learning process then it won’t become an issue,’” said Bolen. “Our students have worked with us.”

Dr. Bridges said the city school board would revisit issue in the spring, most likely to set a definite policy.