Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Cell Phone Policy topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
U‑46 candidates back limiting classroom cell‑phone use, urge local flexibility
Summary
At a March CAC forum, U‑46 board incumbents said district pilot programs show classroom cell‑phone restrictions can improve focus and behavior; they expressed support for limits during instruction while preferring district‑level flexibility over rigid state mandates.
Candidates for re‑election to the School District U‑46 board told a Citizens’ Advisory Council forum on March 13 that they favor restricting student use of personal wireless devices during classroom instruction, but that policy should preserve local flexibility.
Dawn Martin said pilots in the district suggest “students are more focused in the classrooms” when devices are restricted. “Not being able to hop on their phones every two minutes… seems to be helping with behavior and students focusing,” she said, while adding she would prefer districts retain discretion rather than adopt a strict state mandate.
Veronica Noland said she had experience working with medical and child‑media guidance and called for following research and local classroom evidence. “I would love to move forward in the way that our teachers and our schools have determined is best for our students,” she said, adding that early pilot reports “sound like restricting use during the day is really beneficial.”
Melissa Owens, the board president, cited presentations at a recent CAC session and from principals who had piloted device restrictions in middle and high schools. She said the two pilot schools used different approaches tailored to their populations, and she wants the district to compare results across schools before adopting blanket measures.
All three commented on proposed state legislation by Gov. J.B. Pritzker that would require districts to adopt a wireless communication device policy restricting use during instruction. Martin and Owens both said they would prefer latitude for districts to tailor implementation to local classroom conditions; Noland urged following expert research and local evidence.
No policy was adopted at the forum; candidates said the board and administration should review pilot data and consult teachers and principals when developing district policy.
