CLARKSVILLE, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – The Clarksville-Montgomery County School Board is considering updates to the Student Code of Conduct, including clarifications to the electronic devices policy, a new two-tier category for inappropriate physical contact, and more explicit language on recording or instigating fights. The board is scheduled to vote on the changes at its May 19 formal meeting.

Electronic devices and ‘smart’ eyewear

Last year, the district adopted a sweeping cellphone blackout policy that banned student phone use throughout the instructional day. Under the newly proposed changes for 2026-27, students would continue to be required to keep phones and personal electronic devices put away during the school day. The update adds new restrictions, stating students would be “prohibited from unauthorized audio or video recording and photography.”

The policy also expands to cover emerging technology. Any eyewear or wearable device capable of internet connectivity, artificial intelligence, or displaying digital content such as Meta Glasses – even prescription-lens smart glasses – would be banned during the instructional day.

“With advancing technology, we are having to take a look at other electronic devices in the way of wearable eyewear that does access internet, that does film and record,” said Matthew Slight, director of Middle Schools, at Tuesday’s School Board meeting.

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The new language also specifies that students are prohibited from unauthorized recording “to protect student and staff privacy, maintain instructional integrity and assessment security, and to ensure compliance with FERPA and applicable Tennessee law.”

CMCSS spokesperson Anthony Johnson said the clarification was added “in response to feedback received during the review process and the increasing guidance from state and national organizations and testing companies regarding this emerging technology.” He shared recent College Board guidance warning schools that smart glasses can record, store or display information during AP testing.

New 2-tier category for inappropriate physical contact

CMCSS is proposing a new offense called “Inappropriate Physical Contact,” which did not exist in last year’s code. Previously, these incidents were handled under broad categories such as “Other Conduct Warranting Discipline” or “Violation of School Rules.”

Slight told the board administrators need clearer definitions. “There’s a lot of gray area there that was left previously to violation of school rules,” he said. “We just defined it better for administrators to be able to address it with our students and with our families.”

The district is proposing two levels:

  • Category 2 (Minor): momentary, non-aggressive, unwanted contact
  • Category 3: intentional or repeated contact, or any physical contact directed at staff

Slight added that the behavior in Category 2 “does not result in injury and does not significantly disrupt the learning environment.” However, the Category 3 version addresses more serious behavior that does not “rise to the level of fighting or assault.”

Recording fights now explicitly listed as instigating

The district is also clarifying its definition of instigating or encouraging fights. While recording and posting fights was already prohibited, the updated language makes this explicit.

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Slight said the revision adds the word “instigating.” “Initiating, provoking, encouraging or contributing to a fight through words, actions or conduct,” the proposed change reads. “This includes taunting and inciting conflict or recording, broadcasting or posting fights in a manner that promotes or escalates the incidents.”

Johnson said this behavior has been a concern “since the early 2000s, with the introduction of camera phones and social media.” According to district data, CMCSS has seen a 52% year-to-date decrease in this offense category compared to last school year, which Johnson said could be the result of the revised cell phones and personal electronic devices policy.

Slight said the goal of the clarification is to help administrators better identify when students are contributing to or escalating conflicts, even if they are not physically involved.

Weapons policy expanded to include 3D-printed weapons

The proposed updates also add 3D-printed weapons to the list of prohibited items. “With the advancements of technology, this has actually become a thing this year,” Slight said.

Possession would result in a 30- or 90-day remand to alternative school, depending on the severity.

Slight said the district’s annual review process includes feedback from department chairs, principals and assistant principals, community stakeholders, student advisory groups, level directors and senior leadership.

These proposed changes to the 2026-27 Student Code of Conduct will be voted on at the May 19 formal board meeting.

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