Headphones And Earbuds Banned In Hoover Schools

HOOVER, AL — Students in Hoover schools using headphones or earbuds while at school will face disciplinary action, after a ban on the items was passed by the Hoover City School Board recently. The ban excludes students who have special permission from principals.

The system's policies already included bans on electronic devices such as cell phones and computers. This move now adds language to include headphones and earbuds. A WBRC report said the policy does give administrators, or someone they designate, the ability to say when headphones can be used.

"Kids listening to headphones during class is never a good thing. If there are special needs, that’s one thing, but heck if I could get my teenager to not listen to headphones that would be a good thing at home," said Steve McClinton who has two kids who graduated from Hoover Schools, and a third currently enrolled. "People move here all the time for the schools. And we need to make sure we have a policy in place that is a benefit for the children, but also a benefit for the teacher. Because a teacher has to have control of the classroom."

"During that instructional time, that’s not what we want them to do. We want them to be engaged in the learning," said Superintendent Dr. Kathy Murphy.