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Superintendent asks high school administration to finalize cell phone policy; highlights training, STEM success and partnerships
Summary
Dr. Schultz told the board the high school will produce a recommended cell phone policy and implementation plan before student handbooks are distributed; she also described staff training on reading instruction, a Smart Social contract for parent resources, autism training, and student success at national competitions.
Brookings School District 05-1 Superintendent Dr. Schultz told the board the high school administration is compiling data and will present a recommended cell phone policy and an implementation plan in time for student handbooks, after mixed enforcement this year.
The superintendent said perception surveys from parents, staff and targeted focus groups of high school students were reviewed, and high school administrators conducted focus sessions. "The reality is we know what the data says. Now it's just making sure that we are comfortable with what is recommended and that we have whatever that is that there is an implementation plan," Dr. Schultz said. She emphasized the board expects high school administrators to enforce whatever policy the board adopts.
Dr. Schultz also announced the district will purchase a 12-month contract with Smart Social using reserve Title II funds to provide on-demand resources for parents and staff and to support education on student-device use. The contract, she said, will provide parents access to hundreds of on-demand topics and follow from a spring event that received strong feedback.
On staff development, Dr. Schultz described recent administrator training tied to the science of reading and a series of autism and behavior-focused trainings with local partners. She said local collaborators — named included Audra Fullerton and staff connected to SDSU and community donors — are helping bring targeted training on behavior, polyvagal theory and classroom transitions for neurodivergent students, and that sessions will continue monthly next year.
Dr. Schultz also highlighted student accomplishments and external partnerships: 17 FCCLA students qualified for national leadership conference competition in July; two Brookings students (a junior and a freshman) were competing in the International Science and Engineering Fair in Columbus, Ohio; and district leaders met with Research Park representatives to explore advanced research opportunities for students.
On testing and accountability, Dr. Schultz said this year’s testing is complete but final state report-card data for the current year will not be released until the fall. She warned the high school must develop five intentional career and workforce preparedness pathways (two are developed so far) before students register for classes next year because the state report card beginning in 2026 will score schools on career and workforce preparedness.
Board members praised the district’s partnerships and the district’s attention to implementation planning for cell-phone rules. Dr. Schultz said the administration will bring a draft policy and implementation timeline for board consideration before fall handbooks are finalized.
Speakers in this portion of the meeting included Dr. Schultz (superintendent), and references to high school administrators Mr. Stanley and Mr. Thomas who conducted student focus sessions.
