The Polk County Board of Education’s new policy makes it crystal-clear: cell phones are OK at school, as long as they are turned off and out of sight.

The policy, which actually won’t take effect until January, says that students are allowed to have cell phones on campus with them, but they can not be heard or seen.

What happens if the latest downloadable ringtone clangs out during an American Literature lecture?

The cell phone is taken up by the teacher, and the student won’t get it back until a parent comes to sign it out.

According to the proposed policy, the cell phone doesn’t have to be making noise to get a student in trouble.

“Cell phones that are visible, being used, ringing, buzzing, text messaging, or any other use at school, during the day will be confiscated,” the policy explains.

On all offenses, a parent must come to the school and sign the cell phone out, however, students face increasingly stiff consequences with each infraction.

On the second offense, students will serve one day of in-school suspension (ISS). On the third offense, students are given three days of ISS.

The policy states that on the fourth offense, “students are subject to Polk School District disciplinary action including, but not limited to, suspension, expulsion, or alternative school.”

The policy was introduced in a recent meeting of the Polk School Board of Education. “Knowing that almost all kids have cell phones now, it would be almost impossible to ban them altogether,” said Polk Superintendent Darrell Sorrells.

Board Chairman Dr. Harold Wingfield also wanted to encourage administrators and faculty to follow the policy as well.

A previous policy on cell phone use was in effect, but Sorrells said that it had not been followed consistently. “We want this followed, “ he said. “The old policy didn’t involve parents.”

Board members will make a final decision on the new policy in January.