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Board approves technology and communication-device policy, affirms ‘bell-to-bell’ no-phone rule
Summary
The board approved revised policy 5031 to align district procedures with state law (Senate Bill 178). The policy emphasizes that administrators and teachers should enforce bell-to-bell instruction and gives school administrators discretion over cell-phone restrictions outside instructional time.
The Tooele Board of Education approved revised policy 5031 on technology and communication devices to reflect recent state law changes and to clarify local procedures.
Heather Casano, presenting, said the updated language aligns district procedures with Senate Bill 178 and that feedback from parents and administrators has been “overwhelmingly positive.” The policy reiterates that devices should not interfere with classroom engagement and that classroom management is primarily the responsibility of school administrators and teachers.
Board members stressed two points. Melissa and Dr. Ernst said the policy intends a “bell-to-bell” expectation in classrooms (no phone use during instructional time). Board members acknowledged that individual schools, especially junior highs with known passing-time issues, may adopt stricter rules — for example, a school could prohibit phones even at lunch to reduce behavior problems. "The expectation is that kids are engaged" and that administrators should address downtime and enforce instruction, Dr. Ernst said.
The motion to approve revised policy 5031 was moved by Todd and seconded by Elizabeth; the board voted to implement the revised policy as presented. The board asked staff to ensure consistent communication to parents and to monitor how schools apply the policy across grade levels.
