Board says district's new cell-phone guidance drew governor's office attention; Internet-device policy adopted

Dr. Ward, the district's interim superintendent, told the board the governor's office contacted district officials after coverage of the district's guidance on cell-phone use for the fall. "The governor's office reached out, to us today to, possibly host an event, with her in attendance," Ward said, adding that "they believe that we're the first school district to actually come out, and, release, some of our guidance when it comes to cell phone use for the fall." Ward said the governor was expected to be at the district's junior high school on Monday of the following week; details were still being finalized.

Separately, during routine action items the board conducted a second reading and formal adoption of new policy number 7316, "Internet-enabled devices during the school day." The board approved the policy on a unanimous vote.

Board members discussed the cell-phone issue publicly, with one member saying the district's proactive stance and early guidance aligned well with state-level activity and praising the district's efforts to combine technology access with expectations for responsible use. Another board member said initial student anxiety about the policy had eased and that fall sports and routines were proceeding.

The meeting record shows the board took additional routine votes that night on personnel, safety planning (a draft district-level safety plan was approved and will be posted for a 30-day public comment period) and several operational resolutions; those items were approved as part of the meeting's consent and action items.