ATLANTA (AP) — Atlanta public schools officials are considering ending a cell phone ban for younger students so they would be able to contact their parents in case of an emergency.

The Atlanta Board of Education on Monday considered whether to allow middle school and elementary school students to carry phones in school.

High school students can already bring phones if they are turned off. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports (http://bit.ly/164xRe5) that a recent accidental shooting at Grady High School prompted discussion about the cell phone policy. Board members said that because students were able to call their parents after that incident, they responded calmly.

The board suggested that Superintendent Erroll Davis could issue a regulation relaxing cellphone restrictions. Davis said any decision he makes would reflect the board's intentions.

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