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Board sends revised student behavior code back to committee after public comment on cell phones and wearables
Summary
After extended public comment on cell phone rules and wearable technology, the Board of Education of Baltimore County voted to return proposed changes to Board Policy 5550 (Student Behavior Code) to the Policy Review Committee for further work.
The Board of Education of Baltimore County voted to send proposed revisions to Board Policy 5550, the Student Behavior Code, back to the Policy Review Committee for further consideration.
Public comment at the April 8 meeting included multiple presentations that urged clarity and exceptions in the policy’s treatment of electronic devices. Speakers from the PTA Council of Baltimore, school library staff, advocacy organizations and parents said cell phones are both a distraction and — for some students — an important tool. Several speakers, including school library media specialists, highlighted the role of licensed media specialists and raised concerns about equitable access to library services; other commenters urged that the policy explicitly address wearable devices and emerging technologies.
During the board’s discussion, Policy Review Committee members and other board members debated proposed language that would add “wearable technology” to the policy’s list of covered devices. At one point a member moved to insert the words “wearable technology” after “tablets” in section 2.d; the motion to amend was seconded but later withdrawn by the maker. The board then considered a motion from a member to return the policy to the committee to address outstanding issues including the definition of “wearable technology” and a definition for “culturally responsive.”
Board members said they wanted the committee to clarify the interplay between Policy 5550 and Rule 5552 (which already addresses electronic devices), standardize language, and provide more detail that would inform the rule that outlines enforcement and day‑to‑day logistics. Several board members asked staff to consider how the rule would be enforced in practice (for example, how administrators would handle smart watches or VR headsets during instructional time) and to ensure protections for students who use devices as assistive tools.
The motion to send Policy 5550 back to the Policy Review Committee passed on a recorded roll call vote. Committee chair Christina Pumphrey said the amendment to add wearable technology would likely be considered by the committee along with a clearer definition of culturally responsive practice and suggested implementation language for rules that accompany the policy.
Why it matters Policy 5550 governs student conduct across BCPS schools and the board’s decision to return the draft policy to committee reflects requests from parents, educators and community organizations for clearer language about devices, exceptions for students with special needs, and stronger definitions for cultural responsiveness. The board did not approve the policy tonight; further drafting will take place in committee before it returns as a formal board item.
What’s next The Policy Review Committee will redraft the language, consider definitions (wearable technology, culturally responsive), and prepare accompanying rules that address enforcement logistics. The committee will also incorporate public comment from this meeting into its revisions and return the revised policy to the full board for future consideration.
