Peoria Unified adopts stricter student phone rules after hours of debate

The Peoria Unified Governing Board voted 5-0 on July 9 to adopt a revised student wireless communication devices policy that limits when and how students may use personal phones at school.

The policy, presented by Dr. Hernandez, says students may use wireless devices for educational purposes only when expressly permitted by a teacher and — for high school classroom uses — only after principal approval and parent permission. It bars use of phones in private spaces such as restrooms and locker rooms and prohibits “creating, sending, receiving or possessing indecent visual or auditory material.” The voice vote was recorded as five yesses.

Board members said the policy seeks to balance instructional needs, student safety and parental rights. “The revisions aim to support a safe, focused and consistent learning environment across all campuses,” Dr. Hernandez said in his presentation. He told the board the policy distinguishes K–8 and 9–12 settings and provides procedural follow‑up so principals and teachers can implement consistent practice.

Public commenters and several board members pressed for tighter limits. “If a phone is in a private space, it’s automatically not allowed,” board member Missus Proudfit said, urging clear, enforceable wording to stop videos or images taken in bathrooms or locker rooms. Public commenter Sharmell Bolster said she had initially been skeptical but, after discussing the draft with Dr. Hernandez, supported the policy’s direction: “If she feels that’s best for the district, then that’s what you all need to do,” Bolster said.

The adopted language adds (1) an explicit prohibition on audio and visual recordings of indecent materials and (2) a requirement that teachers seeking phone use for instruction must have principal approval and parent permission for the activity. The board directed staff to develop procedures and communications for parents and principals explaining the new rules; several board members said they expect a follow‑up review in January to check implementation and any needed refinements.

Board members debated whether phones should be carried at all during the school day. Some members backed a stricter approach — phones stored and powered down bell to bell, with limited exceptions. Others wanted limited allowances for passing periods, lunch and narrowly defined class projects that would not disadvantage students without phones. The board settled on the principal‑approval and parent‑permission process for classroom use in grades 9–12 and an effective prohibition on phone use in private spaces.

The vote followed a public comment period in which parents and community members described safety and mental‑health concerns tied to social media and phone access. Board members also asked staff to provide model procedural forms and a monitoring plan that principals can use to track requests for in‑class phone use.

What happens next: Staff will finalize implementing procedures, update the student handbook and run training for principals and school leaders. The board asked for follow‑up reporting once the school year begins and again in January to evaluate compliance and impacts on instruction.