Board pauses second reading of cell-phone policy after members cite inconsistent wording

The Delaware City Schools Board of Education on Aug. 18 paused consideration of a revised personal communication devices policy (PO 5136) after a board member said the draft contained inconsistent provisions about who may authorize student device use during the instructional day.

The policy was on the agenda as a recommended approval, but a board member raised a procedural concern: one section allows principals to authorize student use of devices while another paragraph appears to permit teacher authorization, creating a conflict in the draft. “Otherwise, we’re saying two very different things,” the board member said during discussion.

Treasurer Jill Corwin and other staff agreed the language was confusing. The board directed staff to revise the document and bring the item back for a first reading at the next meeting, rather than moving forward with final approval that night. Legal review was suggested; board members were told that because the change is substantive the district should treat the revised draft as a first reading and return it for the normal first/second-readings process.

Context: District staff told the board the policy revision responds to recent changes in state law that affect local school rules on cell-phone policies and personal communication devices. The board’s action was procedural — to correct inconsistent language and allow legal and public review — rather than a decision on the underlying policy choices.

The board did not vote to adopt the policy on Aug. 18. Staff said they will circulate a revised draft and return it for formal consideration at the next board meeting.