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Sweet Home forms task force to prepare for proposed state "bell-to-bell" phone restrictions
Summary
District administrators will create a task force of teachers, administrators and staff to review and recommend code-of-conduct changes if the state adopts proposed "bell-to-bell" smartphone restrictions in the upcoming budget.
Sweet Home Central School District officials said they will form a task force to review the district's cell-phone policy and recommend changes if proposed state budget language banning student device use "bell to bell" is adopted.
The district announced at its March 11 meeting that state lawmakers and the governor were considering language that would restrict student possession or use of smartphones during the school day. District leaders said the language had not yet become law but could be included in the state budget.
District plan: Dr. Genestri said the administration asked Dr. Wilson to convene a task force of administrators, teachers and staff to review current policies and draft possible revisions. "We've asked Doctor Wilson to begin to form a task force of administrators teachers and staff to discuss potential policy changes to our cell phone policy," he said. Dr. Wilson told the board the group will review examples from other districts, hold student and parent town halls, and then take recommendations to the policy committee and back to the board for a final vote.
Existing practice and scope: The district currently prohibits personal devices for pre-K through grade 8 during the school day; high school students are allowed to carry devices under current policy. Dr. Wilson described the review as an opportunity "to bring consistency around the use of devices during the school day across the entire district." She said student and parent town halls will be part of the process.
Costs and enforcement questions: Board members and administrators discussed enforcement issues and potential costs. Dr. Genestri noted the governor proposed $12 million statewide to support districts in implementing changes, but cautioned that funds would be spread across many districts and "that's not going to go very far." Board members raised questions about pouches, lockers and the staff time required to enforce any new rule.
Timeline: The administration said it wants to have a task-force recommendation and stakeholder input completed in time to comply if the state adopts any new law for the 2025-26 school year.
Ending: District officials said they will provide updates as the state budget process moves forward and as the task force develops proposals for the board's policy committee.
