Board reviews draft standalone student cell‑phone policy after new state guidance

The board reviewed a proposed standalone policy on student cell phones and personal electronic devices that administrators removed from the student code of conduct after state regulatory updates.

Mr. Weller explained the change: recent legislation and Department of Education guidance (Regulation 616) led the administration to extract device rules into their own policy with criteria on acceptable use, prohibited times and consequences. "Out of that legislation...we decided to expand the language to include the other personal electronic devices that people utilize nowadays," he told the board.

Board members questioned the strictness and enforceability of some language requiring devices be powered off and out of sight for instructional periods. One board member said, "I don't love statements that we know aren't feasible to happen," and raised concerns about inconsistent enforcement across classrooms. Several members recommended preserving staff discretion and placing the policy where families can easily find it.

Administration responded that the policy includes an explicit allowance for staff permission during non‑instructional periods and that principals and deans will support consistent enforcement. The policy will be posted for a 30‑day public comment period and return to the board for a first reading in June as part of the code‑of‑conduct timeline.