District 100 board approves new cell phone and electronic-device policy; committee to review in October

The Belvedere District 100 Board of Education on a voice and roll-call vote approved a district-wide cell phone and electronic-device use policy after administrators presented the policy and said it was the product of a yearlong research and stakeholder process. The motion to approve the policy was made by Member Young and seconded by Member Piggie; the measure passed on a roll-call vote with all board members recorded as voting in the affirmative.

Why it matters: District leaders said the policy responds to research linking constant device access with reduced student wellness and learning, and that a single district policy — rather than teacher-by-teacher rules — is intended to make enforcement consistent across schools.

The policy and what it requires - District administrators said a 32-member research/stakeholder team (students, teachers, parents and staff) reviewed research and survey responses; the district reported more than 1,700 responses to its community survey. The team recommended restrictions to protect student wellness while preserving family contact. - Elementary students: personal devices must be stored in lockers throughout the school day. - Middle school students: devices must be stored during instructional time but may be used during lunch; administrators said this middle-school lunch rule will be reevaluated in October. - High school students: devices may be used before school, after school, during passing periods and at lunch, but must be stored during instructional periods (for example, in a secured pouch or cell-phone locker) when class starts. - Exceptions: the policy provides case-by-case exceptions for students with Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) or 504 plans, students with medical needs (for example, diabetes), and situations that require administrative approval (such as classroom activities that need a camera). - Enforcement: the board packet and administrators described a tiered consequence system and said administrators — not classroom teachers alone — will support enforcement. Suggested measures include teacher-level interventions (ask student to store device), sealed pouches or lockers, and administrative follow-up for repeated violations.

Public comment and board discussion - Teacher Sarah Griffin, a middle school teacher who said she joined the policy committee late, urged the board to approve the policy and implement it with fidelity. She told the board, “In an emergency, and specifically in a lockdown situation, I have grave concerns with students in my classroom receiving phone calls from parents,” adding that emotional responses to calls can “compromise the safety of everyone in my classroom.” - Administrators emphasized that the policy is not a total campus ban, that it relieves teachers of sole enforcement responsibility, and that the same committee will reconvene to evaluate the policy by early October and recommend adjustments if needed.

Implementation and next steps - District staff said they will finalize details such as whether classrooms will use pouches, lockers or a combination; some supplies are available but larger purchases may be needed. The implementation team meets again immediately and will reconvene in October to evaluate outcomes and make adjustments. - Administrators said the district will provide training and communications for parents, students and staff; they invited board members to sit on the review committee.

What the board decided - Motion: "Approve the cell phone and electronic device use policy as presented." Mover: Member Young. Second: Member Piggie. - Outcome: approved (unanimous roll-call vote).

Context and limits - Administrators acknowledged the launch timeline is tight ahead of school start; they said communications and equipment procurement will be priorities. - The board directed ongoing monitoring and a scheduled policy review in October to determine whether the policy should be tightened or relaxed.

Ending: The district will begin implementation this summer and evaluate the policy’s effectiveness during the fall semester; administrators said they will return to the board with any recommended changes after the October review.