Board approves device policy on second reading but flags wording on vehicles and field trips

Board members debated Policy/Regulation 5516, which governs school grounds and the use of Internet-enabled devices on school property and during school-sponsored events. Several board members said the current wording about "vehicles" and an exclusion for school buses is confusing and suggested moving the language to a final sentence or otherwise simplifying the sentence structure.

"The sentence structure... was very confusing," said a board member participating in the second-read discussion, urging the committee to simplify the wording and, if needed, refer it back for minor edits. Other members and legal counsel agreed the changes were not substantive and recommended approving the regulation now and allowing the committee to reword it for clarity. The board attorney said the policy and regulation "go hand in hand" and that the board has authority to regulate school‑sponsored events, citing a DOE interpretation supporting local regulation.

Members also raised a practical question: the paragraph that allows supervised device use "on a school bus or during school-sponsored events when the student is under the direct supervision of a teaching staff member" appears aimed at field trips or event transportation rather than regular daily bus rides to and from school. Counsel clarified that the language most commonly applies to field trips and school‑sponsored events where staff supervision is provided.

The board moved to approve the policy/regulation as presented on second reading and asked the policy committee to review the suggested wording changes and return recommended edits if warranted.