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District 99 says stricter cell‑phone policy raised referrals but boosted classroom engagement
Summary
Deans and teachers reported a jump from 39 to 339 phone referrals after a uniform district policy and scanner rollout; staff said most were first‑time incidents, the process is manageable and early course engagement and test scores improved in some classes.
District 99 administrators and teachers told the board that a newly enforced district‑wide cell‑phone policy and scan‑in system have produced a large increase in recorded referrals but early signs of improved student engagement.
D'Angelo Gerald, a dean at Downers Grove South, described the policy rollout: "We started this process on the first day of school," and he explained teachers place student devices in designated slots for class. Gerald reported a year‑over‑year increase in recorded referrals: "Last year through the month of October, we had only 39 referrals across both schools... 339 referrals, this time, this year." He and other deans said the rise reflects consistent enforcement rather than more widespread misconduct and noted many are first‑time offenses.
Teachers described classroom effects: Alexis Domino (math teacher) said students "scan in, put it away" and that instructors are seeing more student talk in group work; one teacher reported a "5 to 10% increase" on early unit tests in some classes. A PBIS coordinator said teachers are nominating entire classes for following the phone policy, and staff credited summer communication to families for smoothing the rollout.
On process and workload, deans said the referral workflow is clear and manageable: teacher documents an observed phone, contacts parents and the dean's office processes referrals, often within a day. Board members asked about capacity and burnout; deans said consequences are typically straightforward and manageable and that parent support has been strong.
The board characterized the cell‑phone policy as part of a broader push on attendance and accountability and said it will monitor impacts on learning and discipline as the year continues.
