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Board adopts revised student electronic device policy; committee changes wearable-tech language
Summary
The board approved revisions to the district’s student use of electronic telecommunication devices policy, adopting committee-recommended language that gives principals discretion over wearable-device rules for school-sponsored events taking place during instructional hours.
The Saint Mary Parish School Board voted to adopt a revised student use of electronic telecommunication devices policy, with a committee-recommended change that narrows a state bulletin requirement for wearable technologies at school-sponsored events.
Board members presented a policy prepared by Forethought Consulting and revised by Hammons and Seals; the policy committee recommended one change before adoption. Bulletin 741 (as discussed in the meeting) requires prohibitions on wearable technology capable of sending or receiving text messages or similar notifications. The district’s proposed revision had used the mandatory term “shall” to extend the prohibition to school-sponsored events (including athletic competitions and field trips) that take place during instructional days. The policy committee recommended changing “shall” to “may,” which leaves the decision to apply the wearable-device restrictions at school-sponsored events to local school principals or administrators. Mister Mancuso moved to approve the policy with the committee modification; the motion passed.
Board counsel and administrators noted the district’s obligation to comply with state guidance and said the policy change preserves local discretion about events while aligning with the state-level requirements. The board’s approval updates district policy JCD-AE (student use of electronic telecommunication devices) as submitted to the board policy committee and reviewed by legal counsel.
