Cannon County board adds cell-phone misuse to student conduct policy after debate

The Cannon County Board of Education on Sept. 11 approved adding misuse of wireless communication devices to Policy 6.3 (the student code of conduct) as a Level 1 misbehavior, with a 3-1 roll-call vote.

The addition ties the district's wireless-communication-device policy to the student code of conduct so administrators may apply disciplinary options already listed in 6.3. The motion to add the statement was made by Aletha Thomas and seconded by Derek Mullins; board members Jessica Curtis, Derek Mullins and Aletha Thomas voted in favor and one member opposed, resulting in the measure's approval.

Board discussion focused on how the change would be implemented and on the severity of penalties outlined in the procedures principals developed. Several board members urged moving forward so principals have an enforceable policy for the start of the school year; other board members and speakers questioned whether some of the proposed disciplinary steps — including out-of-school suspension for repeated violations — were too severe and suggested lighter responses such as warnings or lunch detention.

Staff clarified that the board approved only the insertion of the misuse statement into Policy 6.3; specific step-by-step disciplinary procedures were developed by school administrators and are being used districtwide but were not themselves approved as board policy. During the discussion staff said administrators had reviewed practices used by nearby districts and drafted consistent, district-wide procedures to implement the change.

The board distinguished formal policy approval from procedural practice: the board voted to add a cross-reference in Policy 6.3; administrators remain responsible for applying the code's disciplinary options and for any future revisions to those procedures. Several board members said they would consider reviewing the procedures after the current school year if needed.

The action came after several months of prior committee and workshop discussion; the board heard public and member comments during the meeting before taking a vote.

The board also reviewed other policies and agenda items during the Sept. 11 meeting, including the routine review of policies 1.1–1.906 and several resolutions and administrative approvals (see separate votes summary).