Board committee data shows cell-phone incidents concentrated in middle schools; board to post committee graphs online

Members of the board's Discipline Committee reported that phone-related offenses account for 5% of current office referrals districtwide, with 73% of those phone-related referrals coming from middle schools.

"This is all coming from middle school," said Board member Mr. Gaster, who presented the committee summary. He told colleagues the committee's data showed approximately 286 phone-related violations at the middle-school level during the reporting period. "When it comes to cell phone violations, ... all but 2% of that circle is filled in with cell phone violations," he said, describing the chart the committee reviewed.

Committee members said cell-phone issues coincide with reports of disrespect and that the problem should be addressed both at school and at home. The committee agreed to change its meeting time to accommodate additional participants, and board members asked that the committee include the disciplinary graphs on committee agendas or packets so the public can review them.

Operations committee members said they will coordinate with the discipline committee and the IT department to discuss student Wi‑Fi and device usage as a joint topic at upcoming meetings.

Nut graf: The board's committee-level data indicate device-related discipline is disproportionately reported at the middle-school level. Board members asked for greater transparency by posting committee visuals with agendas and scheduled a joint follow-up to pursue a policy path forward.

Ending: The discipline committee's next meeting time was moved to 4:30 p.m.; operations committee members plan to attend the next discipline meeting to continue the discussion on student Wi‑Fi and device rules.