The Prosser School District Board advanced a proposed student telecommunications policy — commonly called the cell phone policy — to a first reading, directing administrators to finalize procedures and clarify special-case language.

At the July meeting a staff presenter said the proposed policy was modeled on neighboring districts and gathered input from principals and administrators. “We heard you loud and clear that we think there needs to be a cell phone policy,” the presenter said.

Board members asked for language that explains the policy’s purpose — including a sentence modeled on Richland’s policy that states the goal is to “increase student engagement at school and foster respect for a learning environment.” The board asked staff to include clear guidance for how families should contact elementary students during the day, and to retain explicit medical exemptions for students who rely on phones for health reasons (for example, diabetes management).

Board discussion emphasized even application across a building rather than teacher-by-teacher enforcement. A student representative supported the change, saying a clear policy would increase face-to-face communication in class.

The board asked district administrators to draft building-driven procedures that would be consistent across grade-band levels (elementary, middle and high school) and return the policy as a first reading the following week so the district could, if desired, complete a second reading and final adoption before school starts.

Ending: The board set the policy for first reading next week and asked administrative staff to draft procedures and public messaging for families prior to final adoption.