Committee discusses mobile-phone rules; no formal policy change yet

Committee members discussed updates to the district’s mobile-phone policy and agreed to continue the conversation at a later meeting after administrators gather additional input.

Board members described classroom and campus disruptions from phones and advocated for clearer, uniform rules across grade levels. Board member Juan Romero said he favored restricting phone use during instructional time and suggested students keep phones in lockers during the school day. Board member Tom Hankins said research he had read showed bans in other states produced classroom benefits.

Superintendent Doctor Garrison told the committee the district already has a starting policy and that administrators had surveyed staff and begun preliminary steps at the high school level; he said principals and staff will present more detailed proposals at a future policy meeting. No formal motion or vote to change the district policy occurred at this meeting.