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Parent urges board to avoid blanket cell-phone ban, suggests cameras to improve safety and enforcement
Summary
A parent told the board that banning cell phones could hinder parent notification during lockdowns and recommended districtwide classroom and common-area cameras along with clearer enforcement of existing cell-phone rules.
During the public comment period, a parent urged the Hamilton County Board of Education to reconsider a proposed classroom cell-phone ban and instead implement stricter enforcement and expanded camera coverage in schools.
Harriet Reid said she supports limiting classroom phone use but warned that removing phones could prevent parents from receiving timely notices during lockdowns. “There needs to be a policy in place for every school in Hamilton County to immediately notify parents when their child's school is locked down. No exceptions,” Reid said.
Reid said parents have reported delays in notification and described other concerns she attributed to undisclosed classroom practices and what she called rebranded DEI staff. She recommended installing cameras in classrooms, hallways, gyms, cafeterias and outdoor areas to provide documentation of incidents and to evaluate program effectiveness, while noting footage should be strictly access-controlled and not include bathrooms or locker rooms.
She also questioned who enforces the current cell-phone policy and whether consequences were applied and tracked. Reid said cameras could deter theft, improve safety and help administrators evaluate the efficacy of counselors and other support staff. No board action was taken on the comment; the item was heard as public testimony.
