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Board reviews proposed changes to student handbooks, including restricted cell phone use at high school
Summary
Superintendents and principals recommended changes to elementary, middle and high school handbooks. Key proposals: middle-school phones required in lockers, high-school phones allowed only during passing periods (not in classrooms), and an elementary discipline matrix. The board will take action June 9.
District administrators presented recommended handbook updates May 27 that would change student electronic-device rules, tighten attendance and truancy language, and add an elementary discipline matrix. The board discussed those recommendations and will consider formal action at its June 9 meeting.
Assistant Superintendent Becky Mader summarized level-specific proposals: elementary handbooks would add a discipline matrix and clarifications on chronic absenteeism and truancy reporting; middle-school language would require personal electronic devices to be kept in lockers (the current policy allowed devices in backpacks); and at the high school administrators proposed restricting phone use so personal devices are permitted only during passing periods (staff would not allow phones during class). The high-school proposal also updates prime time (formerly seminar), refines the dress code and clarifies tutoring/study-club language.
Administrators and board members debated lunch-time phone access at Derby High School. Some board members and the high-school principal argued the passing-period-only rule balances instructional focus with short breaks for students to check messages; others raised concerns that restricting phones at lunch could push phone use into bathrooms or reduce students’ opportunities to decompress and socialize. Middle-school leaders said making phones out of sight (in lockers) reduced online conflicts and related discipline incidents at that level.
Board members asked administrators to provide additional implementation details, including staff training, locker access for students who need to check messages and planned supports for students with social anxiety who rely on phones to self-regulate. Superintendent Heather Bohati and Principal Gretchen Pontius said training for staff and student/parent communications will begin over the summer if the board approves the changes.
Administrators said they will return the handbook items for action on June 9 and asked board members to submit any detailed questions before the Sunday prior to that meeting to allow staff time to respond.
No final policy change was approved at the May 27 meeting; action was scheduled for the board’s next meeting.
