CAC and student ambassadors urge clearer cell‑phone rules; board to consider two policy options

The district’s Citizens Advisory Committee (CAC), supported by input from student ambassadors and staff surveys, presented results April 9 on a multi‑month review of cell‑phone use in CUSD 200 schools. District leaders will bring suggested policy language to the HR policy committee and the full board for consideration.

Superintendent Daniel Schuler summarized the CAC process: committee members reviewed research, developed questions for students and staff and convened meetings that included student ambassadors and high school staff. The committee considered three options: (1) make no change, (2) clarify expectations with more restrictive rules during instructional time and spaces, or (3) adopt a broadly stricter ban (especially at the high‑school level). Dr. Schuler reported committee members favored either option 2 or option 3; none selected "no change."

The board and staff discussed definitional issues such as the distinction between instructional time and passing periods, enforcement mechanisms (phone caddies versus backpacks), and whether lunch should be treated as instructional time for phone use. Dr. Schuler said the administration will present a revised policy draft to HR policy committee and then to the full board; he noted pending state legislation could narrow the available options but that any local policy must follow state law.

Student ambassadors had helped collect student feedback and took part in CAC meetings, according to the superintendent. The board signaled interest in a consistent rule that gives clarity to teachers and students and suggested piloting a policy and adjusting it as needed: "My guess is it would be easier to go from option 2 to option 3 than the reverse," one board member said in the discussion.