Florida District Proposes “Single Earbud” Safety Policy to Keep Students Alert

Volusia County school district leaders are considering adding new policies to increase safety on campus next year.

• By Jessica Davis
• May 02, 2019

Volusia County school district leaders are considering adding new policies to increase safety on campus next year. Among the proposed policies is a “single earbud” initiative to help students stay aware of their surroundings.

The school board is holding a workshop this week to discuss campus security. One of the points of discussion will involve whether backpacks can be allowed on campus. Currently, they are banned from stadium events, but there is no district-wide policy in place regarding backpacks during the school day.

"Some [counties] do not allow backpacks at all. Some require clear backpacks. So, that will be presented to our school board members and they'll decide if they want to change this and have a policy next year," Director of Communications Kelly Schulz said.

Board members also plan to discuss use of electronic devices on campus, and whether they should implement a “single earbud” policy. This policy would require students to have one ear free from a headphone or earbuds while in the cafeteria, hallways or other areas of campus in order to stay better aware of their surroundings.

"If they can hear what's going on around them, they can hear if there's an alert, if there's some sort of issue or the bell to get to class," Schulz said.

The school board will also discuss whether all middle and high school students will be required to wear an ID badge on campus.

"It's just a nice way to keep track of who's on campus and make sure everyone is safe," Schulz said.

Any changes will be voted on at a later date, the district said.