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School committee reviews draft electronics policy; first reading set for later vote
Summary
The committee reviewed a draft electronics policy that would restrict personal device use by default in elementary and middle schools, require high-school devices to be silenced and stored during class, and give teachers autonomy to permit devices when appropriate; the policy will return for a formal vote.
The school committee received a first reading April 10 of a proposed district electronics policy that would restrict personal-device use in classrooms by default and give teachers authority to set classroom expectations.
Under the draft language read to the committee, laptops and tablets designated as instructional devices will remain allowable when assigned by teachers, but personal devices such as cell phones and portable music players would be prohibited in elementary and middle school classrooms unless specifically permitted in advance. At the high-school level the draft says, "All devices will be on silent mode and securely put away or into the designated classroom container. All headphones will be removed and put away prior to the start of class." The draft allows wired headphones when a teacher deems them appropriate and permits smartwatches if they are on school mode and not actively receiving communications.
The draft also describes tiered consequences handled at the school level, noting that building protocols will determine disciplinary steps such as verbal warnings, confiscation and parental involvement. Committee members asked for cleanup of typographical errors and asked administration to bring the policy to the consent agenda at the next meeting for a formal vote.
The policy text reviewed at first reading will be edited and returned; committee members requested final review on the consent agenda at the next regular meeting.
