Glen Ellyn SD 41 leans toward ‘out of sight’ rule for preK–8, will include watches; enforcement details to follow

Glen Ellyn SD 41 administrators told the Board March 17 they intend to recommend a personal technology policy that requires devices to be “often out of sight” for preK through eighth grade and that explicitly covers watches. The superintendent said the recommendation follows input from the Committee of the Whole and from both the Student Advisory Council and the Superintendent’s Advisory Council.

“Directionally, I am leaning toward ‘often out of sight’ and that would be for preK all the way up through eighth grade, and that would include watches,” the superintendent said. He asked the board to forward any specific concerns to him by email so the administration could draft a policy the board would consider at its April meeting. He emphasized the need to make enforcement workable for teachers.

Several public commenters and board members urged clarity about enforcement and practical measures to reduce the burden on teachers. Public commenter Rebecca Coleman Taylor, a parent, praised the district’s stakeholder engagement and urged the administration to focus on precise wording and enforceability. “The potential new policy is really quite similar to what’s already on the books,” she said. “If the policy will really not shift that much, then any changes will primarily be seen in enforcement changes and better clarity in how the policy is communicated to stakeholders.”

Board members and staff discussed enforcement options, including centralized collection systems (pouches) and building‑level tweaks. The superintendent said districts that have adopted similar policies report a brief period of adjustment and then greater clarity for teachers and families. Staff will draft a formal policy for the board’s April meeting with more concrete enforcement language and suggested timelines for communication and a potential pilot at individual buildings.