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CUSD 200 board approves revised smart-device policy after debate over smartwatches and instructional time
Summary
The Community Unit School District 200 Board of Education approved a revised smart-device policy that consolidates device expectations districtwide and sets limits on phone use during instructional time; board members voiced concerns about how wearable devices, student safety and definitions of instructional time are handled.
The Community Unit School District 200 Board of Education on June 11 approved a revised smart-device policy and accompanying procedures that consolidate the district’s cellular-device rules into a single document and define expectations for use during instructional time.
Superintendent Dr. Schuler told the board the revision’s main goals were to “bring together all of our cellular phone and device expectations into one document” and to clarify rules for elementary, middle and high schools while allowing buildings to keep local practices for storage and supervision.
The proposal, which also adds language addressing wearable devices such as smartwatches, drew sustained discussion from board members before the vote. Several trustees said they supported a clear policy but expressed reservations about the smartwatch language, the definition of “instructional time,” and storage requirements that could limit student access to devices in emergencies.
Board members who opposed final passage said they were concerned the smartwatch language had not been reviewed with the same stakeholder rigor as the rest of the policy and that storage provisions calling for devices to be powered off or kept in lockers might impede student access during safety incidents. Other board members said the broader community and building administrators had asked for clearer, consolidated guidance.
The motion to approve the policy was moved by Mr. Rutledge and seconded by Ms. Evison. Roll-call votes recorded in the meeting transcript show the policy passed with five in favor and two opposed. Yes votes: Rutledge, Evison, Wagner, Long and Hamlin. No votes: Jerphy and Pelovitz. The policy was therefore approved as presented.
Dr. Schuler told the board the district used the Citizens Advisory Committee (CAC) and administrator input during the past year to gather feedback, and that the administration expects the policy to remain a “work in progress” that can be revised after implementation. He also noted that state legislation on student-device rules remains under consideration and could affect local policies.
The board’s action now directs staff to incorporate the policy into student handbooks and implementation plans. The administration said it will continue outreach and training at the building level and monitor how the policy works in practice.
Board members and staff said they expect to revisit specific operational pieces — especially smartwatch handling and the definition of instructional time — as the policy is implemented and as further stakeholder feedback and any state law developments become available.
