[{"_1":2,"_124":-5,"_125":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100,112],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6516410,"mediaKeyId","5680105-79cc1949a33f539124e852ff8ced4ac8","parentId",5680105,"title","Anoka‑Hennepin board debates strict limits on student cell phones; split over enforcement and exceptions","audioSeconds",4100,"startMs",2420000,"endMs",6520000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5680105-79cc1949a33f539124e852ff8ced4ac8&start=2420&end=6520","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5680105-79cc1949a33f539124e852ff8ced4ac8/thumbnail_2420000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6516410/Minnesota/AnokaHennepin-board-debates-strict-limits-on-student-cell-phones-split-over-enforcement-and-exceptions","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6516410-307441de9a2a8804029cef0859fc56f8/orig.mp4?Expires=1770640105&Signature=nAImxayN~9Wbnm72KbLyZPJwsx3bvaNXTP-K-XBUs0RjG9eqY2fLrn-0neWsk7yOkpgTO3GItHcLT7RTwiJnPB2vGMuzbT~I-MBfKsYzk79SvoRMMK-1RlYFuZc1jdVypNZvYO3X4-wPt9sSGYNYWnGOuMDWi7mvnV0adLQU4cg5XlUy7mQLXN5BOzr7phMeavMy8xHtrmdJbwID5EmqfRt4UMz5DlDkvHT4UKQBWy1KMtiTe9iGYmgPqt82QApzPxG8PaPHu4oYxVjfw-YT3FiVQqYQEzn0OrlSJm1FxUYqeBZD3SBmgSxqpqaMDTCa0xrixaR4AknhxSqLEU2RHQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Anoka-Hennepin Educational Service Center","date","2025-07-15T13:59:30Z","article","The Anoka‑Hennepin School Board spent more than two hours on July 14 debating a draft of Policy 507 that would restrict student cell phone and personal technology device (PTD) use during the school day, with sharp disagreement over how the rule should be enforced.

The draft, presented by district general counsel Tim Palmitir, states that “student cell phone use . . . is not permitted in the classroom or during instructional periods” while allowing limited exceptions for instructional uses and for certain technical programs. Palmitir said the policy would also add consequences for violations, including “temporary confiscation of the phone and requirement of meeting with the student's parent or guardian as a precondition to return to the device.”

Board members and staff said a policy is intended to reduce classroom distractions and improve student learning. Director Odette argued the evidence shows phones have “a direct link” to worsening student mental‑health and behavior problems and said she remains “committed to a total ban of phones in schools.” Several board members emphasized the district should avoid putting enforcement burdens on teachers. Director Arco repeatedly urged a parent‑led enforcement model and proposed that if a student refuses to surrender a phone the district hold the device until a parent meets with administrators.

Administrators described limited exceptions. Palmitir said career and technical classes sometimes need students to collect photos or work samples using phones while working off‑site, and the draft tries to preserve those uses. The policy also narrows emergency exceptions to “actual real emergency situations” rather than routine parent‑student contacts, Palmitir said.

Board members debated whether to require district‑provided storage in classrooms, allow building‑level discretion, or pilot specific solutions. Several speakers suggested magnetically sealed or lockable pouches (referred to in the discussion by a vendor example) as a way to keep phones on students but inaccessible during the school day. Director Simon and others recommended pilots be school‑led (schools volunteer to test a solution) and urged clear guidance so that enforcement does not fall to classroom teachers. Director Arco proposed piloting his stricter, parent‑enforcement approach at one or two high schools and asked other members to consider parallel pilots.

Superintendent McIntyre and multiple board members asked staff to refine the language and bring a revised version back; McIntyre noted the board has a work session scheduled for Aug. 11 and suggested that timeline as a target for a revised draft. Several board members also asked for clearer procedures describing progressive discipline, administrative roles in enforcement, and communications that would inform families ahead of the school year.

Public comments earlier in the meeting included high‑school‑aged speakers who urged either classroom integration of phones or protections against overuse. Student Cedar Kilby said “integration of cell phones is the best way to sort of handle them in schools.” Recent graduate Emily McCuller urged instruction on responsible phone use alongside preservation of arts and extracurriculars.

The board did not vote on the policy; members directed staff to redraft the policy language and implementation guidance, involve building principals and teachers in the next steps, and return with options at an upcoming work session.

The board's continued deliberations indicate the district intends to adopt a clearer, enforceable policy before the start of the 2025–26 school year.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Regular School Board meeting - July 14, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Anoka‑Hennepin School Board spent more than two hours on July 14 debating a draft of Policy 507 that would restrict student cell phone and personal technology device (PTD) use during the school day, with sharp disagreement over how the rule should be enforced.","taxTitle","Anoka-Hennepin Public School District, School Boards, Minnesota","taxId",38475,"location","Minnesota","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6516391,"Community speakers urge board to protect arts, extracurriculars and nonpartisan governance amid budget worries",715,289000,1004000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5680105-79cc1949a33f539124e852ff8ced4ac8&start=289&end=1004","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5680105-79cc1949a33f539124e852ff8ced4ac8/thumbnail_289000.jpg","/articles/6516391/Minnesota/Community-speakers-urge-board-to-protect-arts-extracurriculars-and-nonpartisan-governance-amid-budget-worries","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6516391-c1f80b4e8deaf38b0429372557e09be6/orig.mp4?Expires=1770640105&Signature=WddwR0nQsT7MLYxFVC6oH-6BQFvVGQ0VSA2T0tYbUhfwoWc54wSg8K2hfGuqbscHHEcgOmGmHoQY2h7Kl0baoJ~czGvqB3BkKSCgSnUpLVhxER~weYlKakqMGJI5D8k527nH~9oiF1OItKQrW7Y7X~As1tbTO1e-66IxZLH-KS2Kd1tJfmuZj6SfCaRVtWiDzyFzaTfwv5aLVx0EONI8oOWH7nmNf8tljhRBcaqxxvZOBpSoKtNp4pSWgMGbMb0UJio548wZM25oytCG1hffmS5u4OPG~-Lg6ZiazrREEZL1m-0imgwBcvku007WAm2jLq1nDpAgvzcjBG0TvEtPHA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Two community speakers used the board’s public comment period on July 14 to make personal appeals about the district’s direction and budget priorities.

Steve Lyons, a retired music teacher who said he taught 33 years at Champlin Park High School, praised district educators and called on the board to remain nonpartisan. “The school board is a nonpartisan elected body,” Lyons said, and he urged members to “set aside political motivations and instead focus on what is fair, just, and right for every student in this district.”

Emily McCuller, a member of the district’s class of 2025, told the board she benefited from arts and athletics programs and warned that proposed staffing cuts were already eliminating opportunities at some buildings. McCuller said cutting music and arts removes “pro‑tective factors” that help students stay engaged and graduate. “This budget doesn't affect numbers on paper. It affects the kids who found their voices in choir,” she said, adding that arts participation correlates with higher graduation rates and lower risk behavior.

Both speakers asked the board to consider student supports when shaping budget decisions. No specific budget motion or fiscal action was taken at the July 14 meeting; the board’s truth‑in‑taxation calendar presented later in the meeting will frame fall budget hearings and public input.","During the public comment period on July 14, retired teacher Steve Lyons and recent graduate Emily McCuller urged the Anoka‑Hennepin School Board to uphold nonpartisan decision‑making and to avoid cutting arts and athletics programs during budget reductions, arguing those programs support student engagement and graduation.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6516395,"Anoka‑Hennepin reports 0 elevated radon results in latest five‑year testing cycle",189,1674000,1863000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5680105-79cc1949a33f539124e852ff8ced4ac8&start=1674&end=1863","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5680105-79cc1949a33f539124e852ff8ced4ac8/thumbnail_1674000.jpg","/articles/6516395/Minnesota/AnokaHennepin-reports-0-elevated-radon-results-in-latest-fiveyear-testing-cycle","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6516395-fb576de43e24840b253ebaee8a8182c6/orig.mp4?Expires=1770640105&Signature=lkI~6wRgNKViIctIsf1jOxUJwnTyy-rfrurvdtceOFepuMwveZrU8CTTLhm45XdgWclYlo1acy4Xm2TPLPNfD6BwsdUQ4S-qp0CJjzSQXFSUOZorrFbLGQ9yDaJuVGBZH8lUzxBtEeExPfHKXY3cGiUxr6NBfsSrrHZvuhzQHcY8D7o055aJP8m8PXEy8dPg5O6xNshmda4ZyKZAZok6BHDvJW6QJymMCRTKpAwdq-Ob-BoDVzBgwzZTGSpYQu7BzqLVI8q5yfNDpHHfX2dpAJzY~PXhrwjNmwaxdA7TaK4z-6aL~pwuZ1E-3QqG4ueLLecvQxKPndbgOVeHarZTSQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Greg Cole, the district’s chief operations officer, briefed the Anoka‑Hennepin School Board on the district’s annual radon testing program on July 14.

Cole said the district voluntarily tests a sample of school buildings so that each building is tested at least once every five years. He described radon as “a naturally occurring radioactive gas” that is colorless and odorless and said testing is the only way to detect elevated levels.

During the most recent cycle the district analyzed 992 detectors across eight district facilities — Champlin Park High School; Jackson Middle School; Champlin Brooklyn Park Academy; Oxbow; Evergreen and Monroe elementary schools; 2 Rivers; and Riverview Early Childhood Center — and “none received levels greater than the EPA . . . action level,” Cole said. He added that testing is recommended but not required by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Minnesota Department of Health, and that the district will continue its five‑year rotation and report findings annually.

Board members asked a handful of technical questions (one board member noted the unit of measure, picocuries per liter). No further action was taken.","Chief operations officer Greg Cole told the school board the district tests a sample of buildings annually on a five‑year rotation. In the most recent cycle 992 detectors across eight facilities were analyzed and none exceeded the EPA action level, Cole said.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6516401,"Anoka‑Hennepin posts truth‑in‑taxation calendar; preliminary levy certification scheduled Sept. 22, hearing Dec. 8",112,1936000,2048000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5680105-79cc1949a33f539124e852ff8ced4ac8&start=1936&end=2048","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5680105-79cc1949a33f539124e852ff8ced4ac8/thumbnail_1936000.jpg","/articles/6516401/Minnesota/AnokaHennepin-posts-truthintaxation-calendar-preliminary-levy-certification-scheduled-Sept-22-hearing-Dec-8","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6516401-e2750f5b897b655cda3ced94794aeabb/orig.mp4?Expires=1770640105&Signature=HkBFRfvfPMXK7zxz7ClRRf5j57BNgMsCqhn3YC~kqldvHYvk3aoi2O0Gv2Fj0V377WCUZYAOdCgZzq~grnxfC6xR9XoSSlobua-xcxMbUf2QeNbekzkosWX87yyfVPAUBXh43Zvu2Yl2RtfrdAH2K0RVJYkTedG3G2WLPnuw0JzLRwVriqc0WesiIxhz7OgpagPbPs4ryyeo1xaPsyKNuCv~WL8-Nnt-AEv6hEkxyIgl-Ll6e3VUcneO7PYg6T17TWHEwmneNO4DWZI-vLzolqXLD-Tl6ZyNTgJq8k2rAqQb1h2MHxSpKUnDt34AmRaZ97ny4ZyZu74LFi1RzKTF9g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Michelle Vargas, the district’s chief financial officer, told the Anoka‑Hennepin School Board on July 14 that the district has published its truth‑in‑taxation timeline for the 2025 levy (taxes collected in 2026 for the 2026–27 school year).

Vargas said the district must certify a preliminary levy by Sept. 22, 2025, and that the public truth‑in‑taxation hearing is scheduled for the board’s regular meeting on Dec. 8, 2025. After the hearing the board will certify the final levy and Vargas will complete required filings with the county auditor, the Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) and the Minnesota Department of Revenue.

Vargas emphasized that levy calculations and final numbers depend on statutory formulas, voter‑approved referendums and voter‑approved debt; some elements of state funding are set by law and statewide legislative calculations. She encouraged the community to watch the district website for portal updates and said more detailed estimates will be published as MDE releases calculation data.

No board action was required on July 14; the presentation placed the levy timeline on the public record and identified key dates that will guide budget discussions this fall.","Chief Financial Officer Michelle Vargas presented the district’s truth‑in‑taxation calendar on July 14, explaining the process and key dates: the preliminary levy must be certified Sept. 22 and the public hearing is scheduled for Dec. 8; taxes levied in 2025 will be collected in 2026 for the 2026–27 school year.",{"_33":113,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":114,"_41":115,"_43":116,"_45":117,"_47":118,"_49":119,"_51":120,"_53":121,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":122,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":123,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6516406,"Anoka‑Hennepin administrators report bargaining progress and open contracts; teachers’ talks just begun",331,2060000,2391000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5680105-79cc1949a33f539124e852ff8ced4ac8&start=2060&end=2391","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5680105-79cc1949a33f539124e852ff8ced4ac8/thumbnail_2060000.jpg","/articles/6516406/Minnesota/AnokaHennepin-administrators-report-bargaining-progress-and-open-contracts-teachers-talks-just-begun","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6516406-5348f22c54974beb27841921a4156fc9/orig.mp4?Expires=1770640105&Signature=HG1Y-A9Z-73RAjztk6YjnnS0fYUCDeR-RyM28blTvP-~i6BszcdUt2vEt6CMcQzoXiUVq0M5mgKV7gyyWPm5sOXAJo9JARi~6xaLwlabLedCWmJPQS~IawCAJ1~geOFuGqxr0i-jUEpY~qIh4edpmyteMdWrYtxETk6jRmbTheOoWlDEQLDUifHADtWV896eJyTGARnrzLLzLISECdaMVOXrQqNM~bXvTU147ythxA-nL51SJFUj5d78zSWMUEPyG~F55PTmRTM0rntwXQ3RZ3ZscGZcuvabROmpRkTdUmeQc6FcB8UEc8pOlqHq~PJCP-hpMms8u6eWUYX2bVu3zA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Dr. Jennifer Cherry, executive director of human resources for the Anoka‑Hennepin Public School District, told the school board on July 14 that the district is conducting bargaining with multiple employee groups and will continue regular public updates.

Cherry said the district has 18 employee groups: 13 collective bargaining units and five unaffiliated groups. She reported one settled agreement so far (community school coordinators) and described two active negotiating tracks. The first is the building service employees unit (custodial and related staff, approximately 200 employees, represented locally as “Local 284”), which has met four times and remains “pretty far apart” on financial proposals; a bargaining session was scheduled for July 16. The second active track is the district’s largest bargaining unit — K‑12 teachers (including adult basic education, early childhood family education and kindergarten readiness staff), represented by Anoka‑Hennepin Education Minnesota, Local 7007 — which met for the first time July 10 and is scheduled to reconvene July 23.

Cherry said the teacher unit includes just under 3,300 employees and that the district expects to continue negotiations with that group and with several other units later this fall, including child nutrition staff and technical specialists represented by the Minnesota School Employees Association. Principals’ bargaining typically follows teacher settlement work, she said.

Cherry reminded the board that the district provides these public updates under its negotiation code of ethics (policy 209) and that detailed negotiation strategies are handled in closed session. She said the district will post negotiation updates on the district website and return to the board with progress reports at future meetings.

No board action or vote occurred on July 14.","Human resources Director Dr. Jennifer Cherry updated the Anoka‑Hennepin School Board on labor negotiations on July 14: one group (community school coordinators) has settled, talks with building service employees remain far apart, and bargaining with the district’s largest teacher unit began July 10.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Anoka‑Hennepin board debates strict limits on student cell phones; split over enforcement and exceptions

Community speakers urge board to protect arts, extracurriculars and nonpartisan governance amid budget worries

Anoka‑Hennepin reports 0 elevated radon results in latest five‑year testing cycle

Anoka‑Hennepin posts truth‑in‑taxation calendar; preliminary levy certification scheduled Sept. 22, hearing Dec. 8

Anoka‑Hennepin administrators report bargaining progress and open contracts; teachers’ talks just begun