Prosser board approves expedited first-and-second reading to tighten classroom cell-phone procedures

The Prosser School District Board approved a combined first-and-second reading of a revised policy procedure on student telecommunication devices intended to reduce classroom distractions while preserving administrators’ ability to authorize instructional uses.

Administrators told the board the procedure is not designed to be punitive but to remove ‘‘gray area’’ where differing teacher enforcement can create perceived unfairness. Superintendent Kim Casey said the revision aims to “focus on education in the classroom, we’re not trying to take away cell phones.” The procedure allows use before school, during lunch, between classes and after school; classroom use must be administrator‑authorized on a case‑by‑case basis.

Staff explained that instructional needs — for example, a teacher wishing to use a web resource blocked on district devices — can be addressed by whitelisting sites on district Chromebooks or by an administrator granting permission for a specific lesson. The board and student representatives discussed concerns about classroom exceptions (such as Google Translate or supervised research) and about students’ needs like forgetting glasses; staff said principals will handle individual teacher requests for permission.

The board approved the first and second reading at the meeting and directed staff to finalize the procedural language for inclusion in the student handbook. Administrators said they will also develop teacher guidance on whitelisting and classroom processes.