Wyoming Area School Board approves first reading of revised electronic-device policy for secondary schools

The Wyoming Area School Board on Dec. 17 voted to approve the first reading of revised board policies that include a new policy restricting student access to personal electronic devices in the district's secondary schools.

The board’s action covers multiple revised policies (volumes 5 and 6 of 2024) and a revised Policy 237 on electronic devices. The board approved the first reading after a roll-call vote; members recorded several “no” votes specifically on the electronic-device item, and the district will hold a second reading before the policy is finalized.

Board member Ketchum presented the policy revisions and said the changes include a provision allowing use of locking fabric pouches—referred to in the meeting as “yonder bags”—to secure student phones during the school day. When asked to explain how the policy would work in practice, Superintendent Dr. John Pollock described the vendor’s timeline: “They have a 6 week, like, implementation guide that they give us at this point. It was it's unlikely that it'll be for this year, and it's most likely to be used at the start of next year,” Pollock said.

Several board members said they opposed the electronic-device rule as presented. One board member said they opposed “barring 17, 18 year olds from using their phones for 7 hours every day,” and indicated they would explain their reasoning at the second reading. The policy as discussed would apply to the district’s secondary schools, a clarification repeated in public questions during the meeting.

Members of the public asked when locking pouches would be purchased and become operational. Parent Vanessa Smith asked whether the pouches had already been purchased; Pollock replied that the district must still work with the vendor and that implementation timing would depend on availability and the vendor’s rollout. The board noted that a second reading is required before final adoption.

The board did not set a specific purchase date during the meeting; officials said further discussion and vendor follow-up will occur before final approval. The policy package approved for first reading also includes revisions to policies numbered 113.1, 113.2, 202, 236.1, 254, 607, 805.2, 5, 308, 823 and others as read into the record.

The issue will return for a second reading at a future board meeting, where the board may adopt, amend or reject the proposed electronic-device provision.