ATLANTA (WJBF) – It’s been nearly a year since four people, two students and two teachers, were killed in the tragic shooting at Appalachee High School.
Now, a Georgia community group says cell phones should be allowed in schools for all grades, calling them a lifeline for students and teachers to reach loved ones in an emergency.
Starting in 2025, Georgia will ban phones in classrooms for students in kindergarten through 8th grade. State leaders say the law is designed to cut down on cyberbullying and help students focus on their mental health.
Layla Contreras, an Appalachee High alum, co-founded “Change for Chee” after the tragedy. Her mother and sister were inside the school during the shooting and had to borrow a friend’s phone to let family members know they were safe.
“For Change for Chee, we’ve been going to board meetings and meeting with representatives to get something tangible for our community,” Contreras said.
The group is also pushing for safety measures such as clear bags and legislation like Ricky and Alyssa’s Law — which would give teachers access to alarm devices in emergencies.
Contreras says banning phones entirely is dangerous.
“That could be their last words to their family. It’s the only way to know if someone is moving or not inside the building,” she explained. “With so many threats and mass shootings, it’s getting dangerous.”
The group argues that phone use should be a parent’s decision, not the school’s.
Meanwhile, Change for Chee will host a vigil in September to mark the one-year anniversary of the Appalachee High School shooting.
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