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Superintendent schedules parent nights on cell phones and social media; says district will pilot outreach rather than mandate changes
Summary
Superintendent said the district will hold parent-education sessions beginning Jan. 20 to discuss cell phones, social media and safety; the board discussed possible state policy models and the cost of pouch systems.
The superintendent told the school board the district will begin a series of parent-education nights to address student cell-phone use, social media and safety, starting Jan. 20 after the board meeting.
"We're going to invite Judge Backlaw or maybe a resource officer to talk about just from the safety concerns," the superintendent said, describing plans for a panel that would include a parent and a student and an open Q&A to help families understand options and resources.
Board members asked about statewide funding or legislation to support phone-curbing approaches. The superintendent said there is interest at the state level and referenced a state education chair who has discussed possible measures. The superintendent cited Arkansas' pouch-system model as an implementation example but noted cost and resource implications: "the pouch, if we went to that pouch route, that's about $30 a pouch."
A board member asked whether the district had leftover funds from prior settlements or grants (including an opioid-settlement school-safety grant); the superintendent said those funds had already been allocated and were not available for new social programs.
The superintendent framed the parent nights as an educational first step rather than a disciplinary mandate: the district intends to build consensus among parents and staff before proposing any practice changes, she said. No policy change was proposed or approved at the meeting.
