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Board advances student cell-phone limits; middle-school phones to be locked all day in new code language
Summary
On first reading the board reviewed a proposed cell-phone policy (6123) aligned with Senate Bill 106 and approved a related update to the district conduct code (6109); administrators said middle-school phones would be locked in pouches for the full school day starting next year while high school controls would be class-by-class.
District administrators presented a first reading of proposed board policy 6123 on June 10, which would limit student cell-phone use during instructional time and require devices to be silenced and stored. Administration tied the policy to Senate Bill 106, which the presenter said passed the state senate and is pending action in the house committee.
Administration explained four key policy goals: promote academic achievement and student well-being, create a respectful school community, establish clear districtwide expectations, and develop the policy with educator and family input. For middle schools, the proposal would require phones to be locked in pouches for the entire school day; for high schools, the plan would use pouches on a class-by-class basis. Administrators said pilot implementation at the high-school level showed mixed measurable impacts (limited pre/post data), but perception and behavioral reports suggested students were more on-task and there were fewer hallway/bathroom incidents connected to phone use.
The board approved the revised district conduct and discipline code (policy 6109) on second reading at the same meeting; administration said the code will include the new phone restrictions in chapter 1 and that print and online versions will be updated. The board directed formation of a civility committee to draft a parent-focused code of conduct, with a first meeting scheduled for June 24.
Administrators noted possible funding included in the state bill to support pouch equipment (the presenter said the bill proposed about $500,000 for school districts statewide, with an application process to follow) and described plans to reuse high-school pouches at middle schools where appropriate.
The cell-phone policy 6123 was on first reading and will return for a second reading and vote at a future meeting.
