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Board reviews draft cell-phone policy; administrators seek consistent classroom storage across secondary schools
Summary
District staff presented a revised Student Use of Wireless Communication Devices policy that would standardize when and how students may carry or use phones in school; principals favoured consistent classroom storage ("caddies") at the high school level, while the board asked staff to refine language and return in June.
Melissa Eelkower, the district's legal counsel, introduced a revision to policy 04/2005 on student use of wireless communication devices and turned the presentation over to technology and instructional staff who led a multi-month review that included Department of Public Instruction listening sessions, administrator input and community events.
Why it matters: the proposed policy aims to reduce instructional interruptions and create consistent expectations district-wide while preserving flexibility for differing grade levels and medical or safety needs. The board focused on implementation details and uniformity across middle and high schools.
Key elements and implementation
Staff described the draft policy's primary concepts: a clearer definition of "instructional time" by grade band (elementary, middle, high), permitted instructional uses (authorized by a teacher), and a "stored" definition that lists examples such as lockers, backpacks, teacher classroom storage or other district-designated locations. Amy Jaekel (technology director) and Cindy Olsen (secondary education) said one high school currently uses classroom "calculator caddies" and that the four comprehensive high schools supported a consistent classroom storage process.
Board concerns and clarifications
Board members pressed for clarity and consistency. Alex (board member) warned that putting enforcement responsibility on teachers without system-level supports would not improve engagement. Andrew and others asked whether specifying "stored" locations could be made mandatory to avoid school-to-school variation. Staff said flexibility was necessary because middle school buildings have different locker configurations than high schools, and that some students require access for health reasons (504/medical plans).
Next steps
Board members asked staff to revise the policy language for clarity and return it at the June work session so principals can communicate expectations to families before summer registration and student handbook printing. The board did not vote on the policy at this meeting.
