Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Student Technology Policy topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Brookings board approves high school handbook revisions after positive first semester of phone pouch policy
Summary
The Brookings School District board approved changes to the Brookings High School student handbook that formalize the school''s phone pouch program, tighten attendance language, adjust GPA scaling language and add a provision on manipulated images; board members said early results show reduced bullying and improved attendance.
The Brookings School District Board of Education voted to approve revisions to the Brookings High School student handbook that formalize the 'yonder pouch' phone policy, set an attendance contract after 10 absences, clarify grading/GPA language and add prohibitions on manipulated images.
Superintendent Dr. Schultz and high school administrators presented the handbook changes at the board's meeting and described the first weeks of the pouch program as more successful than expected. "Day 1 came and waited and waited. Nothing. Day 2 came. That was Friday. Still nothing," Dr. Schultz said, describing implementation at the high school. "Our students took this stance of, we know it's good for us. They've done an amazing job."
Board members and staff said early indicators from other districts and their own teacher surveys show declines in phone-related bullying and small improvements in attendance after pouch-style device limits were introduced.
Board action and context
The board moved and seconded approval of the handbook revisions and the motion passed by voice vote. The changes approved include: - Device policy: formal language tying expectations to the school's phone pouch system (students carry a pouch that locks devices during instructional time and is unlocked at lunch or when leaving campus). - Attendance contract: language that defines 10 absences as "excessive" and requires a signed contract between student and guardian after that threshold. - Grading/GPA language: adjustments to how percentage grades map to GPA values, limited to refinements at the high school meant to align grading translation with regional practices and reduce unintended disadvantage when students apply to postsecondary institutions. - Manipulated images: new handbook language noting that altering images of others (sometimes called deepfakes) can violate state law and is prohibited in student conduct.
Administrators said the grading scale review was intended to address small disparities in translation from percentage to grade-point average across districts, not to change course rigor. "It would be like saying you're going to run the 400-meter and the 400-yard dash," a board member said, urging careful study of unintended consequences.
Implementation and next steps
Dr. Schultz said the district will continue to monitor attendance and behavior measures and that the high school's administration remains responsible for day-to-day enforcement. Teachers reported that smartwatches and AirPods are also placed in the pouches, creating a more device-free classroom.
The board asked administrators to bring additional data and recommended follow-up if revisions to the grading scale require further study. No further changes were made at the meeting.
Ending
Board members praised students and staff for the initial rollout of the pouch program. "Our kids, our staff at the high school did something that a lot of schools don't even have the guts to try," Dr. Schultz said. The approved handbook revisions take effect immediately for the high school, as part of the district's annual handbook update process.
