Board discusses districtwide digital wellness policy; defers building-level specifics to administrators

The Bloomfield Hills Schools Board of Education held a discussion about cell-phone use and digital-wellness policies and agreed to work on an overarching governance statement while leaving detailed rules to building administrators. Trustees said the high school has developed a detailed policy and practices for the coming year addressing when devices may be used and consequences for misuse; committee members and staff recommended that any board-level statement be broad and supportive rather than duplicative of building-level procedures. Several trustees urged a board-level statement that affirms the district's commitment to student mental health and digital wellness while allowing schools to set operational rules appropriate to grade levels. Board members asked administration to draft a short, high-level policy that the district can reference and that principals can align with when implementing classroom- and building-level procedures. Trustees said they want administrators to continue evaluating the high-school implementation and report back if changes are needed.