Students at Palm Harbor University High School and Dunedin High School returned to class Tuesday, Aug. 11, with a new rule in their backpacks: no smart glasses on campus.

Pinellas County Schools banned all smart glasses, including popular Meta Ray-Ban models, districtwide starting on the first day of the 2026-27 school year. The restriction covers every campus in the district, which serves roughly 85,000 students.

Superintendent Kevin Hendrick told Bay News 9 the ban is about protecting students from being recorded without their knowledge.

"Students don't need to be recorded by other students and that's not a good idea for a variety of reasons," Hendrick said. "Some of those little tweaks as technology changes… we have to adjust our rules and responsibilities." The updated Code of Student Conduct was published on the district's website Aug. 3, one week before classes started.

What's allowed, what's not

Smart glasses are prohibited during the school day and at all on-campus activities. Two narrow exceptions exist: students may wear them at football games and graduation ceremonies.

Students with disabilities may still use smart glasses as an accommodation. Area Superintendent Dr. Dywayne Hinds confirmed that exception at the school board's April 21 workshop, where board member Caprice Edmond asked specifically about access for exceptional student education students.

Smart watches are permitted on campus, but only for two purposes: location tracking and telling time. Students must remove them during tests.

The existing cell phone policy remains unchanged. High school students at Palm Harbor University High and Dunedin High may use phones during lunch only.

How the policy got here

The wearable technology rules are part of a broader revision to the district's Code of Student Conduct. Leanna Ison, director of strategic planning and policy, presented the proposed changes at the May 19 school board meeting, and the board finalized the policy at its June 23 meeting. All seven board members were present for the June 23 vote.