Student candidates at Phoenix High urge clearer phone rules, praise equity programs

A series of student representative interviews at the Phoenix-Talent SD 4 board meeting focused heavily on the district's personal electronic device policy and the district's equity efforts. Students described mixed views across grades and suggested clearer rules and better communication.

Raphael (Rafael Torren Valentine), a freshman, told the board he interviewed peers across grade levels and found a range of reactions to the phone rules: "They said the phone rule should be like a teacher's thing" and some students want the chance to use phones after finishing work or during passing periods so they can check a parent text. He added he had not observed an uptick in social-media bullying since the policy was implemented.

Antonio Williams, another candidate, said many students recognize phones are distracting but feel punished when phones are confiscated and urged clearer expectations and technical fixes so students can listen to music without needing phones. "They felt like they were being treated like a little kid," he said of classmates whose phones were taken.

Students also raised other practical concerns. Several noted inconsistent one-minute bells that make students late for class, and some asked for vending-machine access during class time for students with specific needs. Multiple presenters praised bilingual supports, free meals, TRIO and college-credit programs as concrete benefits of the district's equity efforts.

The board thanked all candidates and said it will deliberate and notify appointees by email; it plans a June 4 welcome for newly appointed student representatives.

The interviews provided the board with student-sourced suggestions for refinements to device policy (greater teacher discretion, clearer prior notice of policy changes, and technical accommodations) and reinforced broad student support for the district's equity programs. The board's final appointments will be announced by email to participants.