Focus Act Information

Dear Heritage families, 

Madison City Schools’ wireless device policy complies with the FOCUS Act adopted by the State Legislature last year. The Freeing Our Classrooms of Unnecessary Screens for Safety Act required local school boards to adopt policies consistent with the state Act by July 1, 2025.  (See Act. #2025-386).

This policy prohibits use, operation, or possession of a wider variety of wireless devices and requires that the devices remain powered off and stored during the entire school day from the first class bell until the last bell dismissing students at the end of the day.

The mandated policy- with limited exceptions - bans ALL use of cell phones, smart watches, ear buds/headphones, air pods, gaming devices, tablets and other similar devices throughout the ENTIRE school day. Students who bring a wireless device onto school grounds must power it off, store it off of their person (ex: in their car, purse, or backpack) and not turn the device on or use it for the entire school day. 

Exceptions permitted by the law, and by Board policy, include use required for a student’s IEP, an individualized health plan or 504 plan, for emergencies threatening the life or safety of the student or another person, or if use is permitted for instructional purposes consistent with guidelines of the Superintendent.  

As necessary, this policy is being enforced with disciplinary consequences set out in the Board’s Code of Student Conduct.  Please note that FOCUS Act infractions do not reset for the second semester.  We will discuss FOCUS Act expectations with every student. 

We appreciate your partnership and thank you for your support as we all work together on enforcement of the statewide FOCUS Act.