Board adopts device policy; high schools may allow phone use at lunch
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Summary
On Oct. 13 the Iredell-Statesville Board adopted a revised policy restricting students' wireless devices during the school day but allowing high school principals to permit device use during lunch. The measure passed unanimously after principals described enforcement challenges and arguments for limited lunchtime access.
The Iredell-Statesville Board of Education adopted a revised policy on student use of cellular and other wireless communication devices on Oct. 13, defining the school day and expectations for device storage and enforcement. The board voted 7-0 to permit high school principals to allow student device use during the lunch period.
Key points of the new policy - The policy defines the school day as starting with the first class period and ending at the end of the last class period as listed on each school's schedule. - Absent authorized exceptions, displaying or having a wireless communication device turned on during the school day is a policy violation; principals may require storage in lockers, bags or approved storage systems. - High school principals may permit student device use during lunch (board amendment); principals retain authority to restrict access for individual students when misuse occurs.
Administrators from district high schools described practical reasons for the lunchtime exception. Nicholas Allen, principal of Lake Norman High School, told the board he has hundreds of students on campus and said enforcement inside large cafeterias would be difficult if devices were prohibited entirely. "If every kid in that room gets their phone out at the same time, what a way to do. I can get 5, 6, 7 at a time, but I won't be able to get them all," he said, and described a campus process for handling repeated violations.
Ben Johnson, principal at West Iredell High School, and Derek Wishon, principal at North Iredell High School, said staff had worked over the summer to educate students and parents and that current enforcement practices have produced low incident counts so far in the semester.
Board members debated the effects of screen time on student social and mental health. "Ninety-five percent of teachers agree that cell phones are harming student mental health," said Mister Kubenik, who urged stricter limits. Other members and principals said the lunchtime compromise reduces classroom disruption while preserving a practical channel for students to communicate about transportation, jobs and college classes.
The policy was adopted on its second reading; administrators will publish local implementation guidance and principals will manage cafeteria enforcement and consequences for repeated violations.
