Missoula trustees approve first reading of strict student electronic-device policy amid heated debate

Missoula County Public Schools trustees on Monday approved, on first reading, a revised electronic-device policy that prohibits student use of personal cellphones and similar devices during instructional time in K–8 and substantially limits classroom phone use at the high-school level.

The board approved the policy on a first reading after a lengthy public and trustee debate over enforcement, equity and classroom discretion. The vote on the amended draft was recorded as all trustees voting yes except Trustee Witcher, who voted no.

The new policy language presented by Superintendent Hill recommends that ‘‘students do not bring cell phones or electronic devices to school’’ and clarifies that possession and use of personal devices on school grounds is a privilege that building administrators may revoke. Hill said the district would not assume responsibility for devices left in district storage and that exceptions would be made for medical reasons or when administrators grant prior approval for instructional uses.

Why this matters: Trustees and teachers said classroom phone use had grown disruptive and that a clearer, enforceable policy would give teachers ‘‘cover’’ to manage classrooms. Opponents raised concerns about equity for students without district-supplied alternatives, the burden on teachers and staff to police devices, and leaving some students without a communication option after confiscation.

Most of the board and multiple teachers who spoke at public comment urged a firm standard. Scott Chook, president of the Missoula Education Association, told the board school staff ‘‘overwhelmingly’’ supported detaching instructional time from phone access and urged a simple, enforceable rule. Several teachers who addressed the board endorsed a districtwide prohibition as the easiest to apply consistently.

Key provisions and amendments - Elementary and middle schools (K–8): personal cellular phones and other signaling/listening devices are prohibited on campus during the instructional day. Devices must remain turned off and out of sight; parents should…