The Rio Rancho Public Schools Board of Education approved Policy 10-33, a wireless communication devices policy patterned on the statewide anti-distraction law enacted in the recent legislative session. The policy was taken on second reading and carried by voice vote at the July 28 meeting.

Michelle Havil, executive director of student services, told the board the policy was created in response to the new law — Senate Bill 11 — and that the district aims to have the policy in place by Aug. 1 so staff can notify families before the start of school. "We're expected to have a policy in place by August 1, ideally, so we can communicate to parents," Havil said.

Under the policy, devices must be powered down and stored away during instructional periods; schools retain discretion for non-instructional times such as passing periods and lunch. Board members discussed enforcement and asked staff to gather data after the first nine weeks about effects on tardies and instructional disruption. "It would be interesting to do a little data analysis after the first 9 weeks of school at the high school, especially about tardies," one board member said.

Board members also noted the policy largely formalizes practices already in place at many campuses and gives secondary administrators discretion for supervised noninstructional use. The board approved Policy 10-33 on a motion and subsequent voice vote; President Galbraith called for the ayes and the motion carried.

Staff will implement the policy for the upcoming school year and said they will communicate the details of permitted and prohibited uses to parents and students before classes start.