Board approves updated personal communication device policy to take effect next school year

The Maple School District board voted to approve revisions to Policy 51.36 on personal communication devices (PCDs), aiming to tighten device use during instructional minutes and give administrators guidance for consistent enforcement.

Administrators recommended a bell-to-bell ban for pre-K through eighth grade and limited high-school use to before and after school, passing periods and lunch unless directed otherwise by staff. "Our recommendation is to maintain status quo," the administrator said when describing the policy template currently in place, while also noting the administrative team recommends clarifying staff expectations and exemptions.

Board members discussed enforcement challenges, staff responsibilities, and reasonable exemptions for medical needs or safety. Several student representatives and a student council member addressed the board, with a student saying the intent is to increase in-person engagement: "It's not necessarily about distraction, but also just being more, like, engaged in the classroom setting." A student representative also noted some classes use phones for work-arounds when Wi-Fi is weak.

The board approved the policy with direction to the administration (Miss Keller and the policy committee) to refine language—specifically to call out pre-K–8 as bell-to-bell ban and to specify high school allowances—and to return a revised draft if needed. The administration will publicize the changes before the 2026–27 school year so families and staff can prepare.