Board seeks student input on wireless-device policy; will revise confiscation language

The Green Bay Area Public School District Board of Education on May 19 heard student input and discussed proposed changes to the district's wireless communication device policy, including whether staff should hold confiscated phones until a parent picks them up.

Students' perspective: Two student council members told the board that classrooms at their schools already limit phone use during instructional time. "We're already not supposed to have our phones out during instructional time," one student said, describing practices such as phone pouches and bell-to-bell policies used at several high schools.

Board and staff concerns: Board member Andrew Becker said he opposed language that would permit staff to retain a student's personal device indefinitely and called for policies that avoid removing a student's device outside school hours. A district administrator, identified as Miss Olsen, told the board that principals prefer alternatives to holding phones overnight and favor working with families on plans that keep phones accessible for emergencies while limiting classroom misuse. Superintendent Vicky Baer said the district should "do better" as staff learn improved practices.

Direction to staff: The board asked staff to edit the proposed wireless-device policy to remove or revise provisions requiring staff to hold phones until a parent could retrieve them and to return an updated draft for board action in June. Board members said reasonable consequences for repeated misuse are appropriate, but that indefinite confiscation and overnight retention are not preferred.

Ending: The board will review a revised policy in June and consider formal adoption after edits reflecting student input and administrative guidance.