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Board advances electronic-device policy to third reading; administration outlines preK'12 procedures and Freedom High pilot
Summary
At a May human-resources committee meeting, Bethlehem Area School District administrators revised Board Policy 237 on electronic devices, added procedures for preK'8 and high school implementation, and scheduled the policy for a third reading May 19 after staff described a successful pilot at Freedom High School.
Bethlehem Area School District administrators presented revisions and proposed procedures for Board Policy 237 (electronic devices) at the district's May human-resources committee meeting and told the committee the policy will appear for a third reading at the regular board meeting on May 19.
Dr. Leeson and staff described edits made after prior discussion: the policy now explicitly tasks district administrators with ensuring consistent implementation and clarifies that students with documented medical, behavioral or disability-related needs (for example IEPs, Section 504 plans, individual health or emergency medical plans) may be approved for device use. The policy also says building administrators may approve limited cell-phone use in special situations, emergencies or for instructional purposes.
Under the separate procedures presented to the committee, preK'8 students would place nondistrict electronic devices in a designated location when school begins; high school students would be allowed to carry devices for noninstructional times (hallways, lunch) but must secure devices when class begins. The procedures specify that nondistrict devices be silenced and left in approved classroom locations when students leave the room during class time.
Technology staff described filtering and safety tools the district uses on school-issued devices. "We have GoGuardian," a staff member said, explaining the platform blocks unsafe sites and generates alerts when a student's web activity indicates potential risk. Administrators said those alerts support counseling and safety interventions during units on sensitive topics such as health or suicide prevention.
Freedom High School principal Laurie Sage described a pilot of the procedures at her high school this year. "We piloted this exact plan this year," Sage said, adding administrators and teachers tracked classroom compliance and used teacher-support measures for classroom management. Sage said the school used a graduated response (including a temporary office hold or "cell phone jail" as a last resort) and reported improved hallway transitions and attendance metrics in some cases.
Board members asked about evaluation and rollout. Staff said they have conducted walkthroughs and are collecting data on device use and stakeholder perspectives; they plan further training and communications for teachers, parents and students and proposed creating public-facing materials such as PSAs and videos for summer outreach.
The committee heard the proposed policy revisions and procedures and will bring Board Policy 237 (electronic devices) to the full board for a third reading at the May 19 meeting. Administrators said they will continue to gather implementation data and provide training and supports for teachers and building administrators.
