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CHSD 99 board adopts new student‑family handbook language; default phone storage and cubby system approved
Summary
The CHSD 99 Board approved revisions to the student‑family handbook that make the default expectation that phones be stored in a district-provided device cubby in classrooms; teachers retain discretion to set classroom rules and deans will handle referrals when students access devices without permission.
The CHSD 99 Board of Education on June 16 approved revisions to the district’s student‑family handbook that establish a new default approach to personal electronic devices in instructional spaces. The change sets “stored” as the district default (students deposit devices in a designated storage unit), while still allowing teachers professional discretion over classroom management.
Superintendent Hank told the board the updated language responds to teacher requests for a consistent storage option and streamlined discipline. Under the new default, students are expected to place phones in a district-provided storage unit (the administration said it selected a shoe‑caddy style unit that can be wall-mounted); if a student takes a phone out of the storage area or accesses it without permission, administrators said the incident will be routed directly to a dean referral. “If the student takes their phone out or goes and removes theirs or another student's phone from the cubby, we're going directly to a dean's referral,” Hank said.
District staff said the board-authorized rollout includes ordering 250 cubby units at roughly $2.50 each and installation by district maintenance staff. Administrators said the storage units will be mounted where they cannot be easily grabbed from a doorway, and that department chairs and building leaders will coordinate placement.
Administrators noted exceptions: the handbook language will follow existing legal limits and accommodations. Travis and others said students with medical needs, 504 plans, IEP accommodations or other documented exceptions would not be subject to storage rules that interfere with required supports. Hank also cited Senate Bill 100 guidance that precludes “zero tolerance” discipline and requires individualized consideration, and the handbook language allows administrators to factor context when determining outcomes.
Teachers and board members debated whether the district should require a single method for all classrooms. Several board members said they preferred a strict default so teachers would not be penalized for enforcing it; other board members and staff urged preserving classroom-level professional discretion. Josh, a teacher representative, urged teacher involvement in developing detailed procedures and FAQs. Administrators said they will convene volunteers this summer to draft the operational guidelines and teacher-facing FAQs, and administrators plan to distribute final guidance before the student enrollment period.
The full board voted to approve the handbook changes (motion carried unanimously). The district also said it will keep legacy hall-pass procedures while piloting a digital hall-pass option in a later phase and will not activate digital hall-pass functionality until teachers are part of the planning process.
Ending
The board approved the revised student‑family handbook language. Administrators will finalize teacher guidance, mount storage units in classrooms over the summer, and report back on implementation. The board’s decision takes effect for the upcoming school year as part of the enrollment materials and handbook distribution.
