Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the School Technology Policy topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Mount Vernon board waives readings, adopts state-mandated student device policy
Summary
The Mount Vernon City School District Board of Education on July 29 waived additional readings and adopted district policy 5695, implementing a statewide mandate that restricts student use of personal internet-enabled devices during the school day and requiring annual equity reporting beginning Sept. 1, 2026.
The Mount Vernon City School District Board of Education on July 29 voted to waive the second and third readings and adopt District Policy 5695, which implements a state requirement restricting students' use of personal internet-enabled devices during the school day.
The policy, described to the board as a mandate from the governor's office, defines covered devices (smartphones, tablets, smartwatches) and prohibits their use on school grounds during the school day except in narrowly defined situations such as teacher-authorized instructional use, documented medical needs, IEP or Section 504 accommodations, emergency communications and language-access support. The policy requires the district to publish the full text on the district website and to make translated versions available for primary languages in the community.
Board President Maribel told the public the action was being taken because the policy is required by the state and must be in place by Aug. 1. The policy sets a timeline for an annual enforcement and equity report, starting Sept. 1, 2026, that must analyze disciplinary and implementation disparities and include mitigation plans if disparities are found. The policy text also states that no student shall be suspended solely for violating the device rule.
Superintendent Dr. Demario Strickland read elements of the policy to the board and the public during the meeting. The policy text lists permitted exceptions — for example, diabetes monitoring apps and other documented health needs — and requires parents and guardians be informed of emergency communication protocols and how to contact students during the school day through designated school channels.
Board members approved the motion to waive further readings and adopt the policy during the July 29 business meeting. The board recorded that the motion carried; a roll-call tally was not read into the public transcript.
Less urgent details: the policy directs the district to provide designated on-site storage for devices (lockers or secured locations) and states the district is not liable for lost or damaged personal devices. The policy also tasks the district with translating and posting the policy online and producing the first enforcement report by Sept. 1, 2026.
What happens next: implementation steps noted during the meeting include posting the policy on the district website and preparing translated copies; the superintendent and staff will carry out operational details and the annual reporting requirement.
