Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Student Handbook topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Board reviews student handbook changes including ban on cell phones during school day
Summary
The ROCORI board held a first reading of proposed K–12 student handbook changes, including a district‑wide prohibition on student cell phones during the school day; no vote was taken.
The ROCORI Public School District school board reviewed proposed K–12 student handbook revisions during a first reading and will return the handbook for formal approval at the August meeting.
The primary substantive change recommended by secondary building staff is a no‑cell‑phone policy during the school day for all grade levels. Board members said elementary practice will not change; the new language would remove interim variations at the middle and high school and make student cell‑phone use during the day prohibited. Secondary staff reported they had studied research and completed a book study that supported distancing students from phones. The proposed handbook language also addresses teacher and parent expectations; teacher cell‑phone use is limited to school communications in the draft.
The draft clarifies backpack use: backpacks may be used to bring school‑related materials to and from school. Board members requested an explicit sentence to clarify whether backpacks may be carried between classes during the school day or should remain in lockers, noting the current language could be interpreted as permitting backpacks during the day.
The draft retains a hat prohibition for elementary students but allows hats at the secondary level, consistent with current practice at secondary schools. The handbook also adds language on PBIS (Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports) updates and describes the Spartan Support Center, which board members said has been in place for a couple of years to support behavior interventions; the board asked administration to clarify how that room will be staffed.
Other items discussed included dance and prom guest policies. The draft gives principals discretion over out‑of‑school guests and does not list a specific maximum age for guests; board members requested clearer guidance on age limits and selection criteria for guest approval. Board members asked administration to return clarified language at the next meeting for final approval.
