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Board discusses districtwide cell‑phone limits and separate social‑media policies; legal counsel warns of OPMA risks
Summary
Trustees discussed crafting a districtwide policy limiting student personal electronic devices and a separate social‑media policy for staff and a distinct one for board members; legal counsel advised the board about Open Public Meetings Act (OPMA) risks and recommended separate policy series for board and staff.
At a policy work session, Pam Holly briefed trustees on plans to draft a districtwide personal electronic device policy to replace the current patchwork of school‑level approaches. Holly said some secondary sites have bell‑to‑bell restrictions while others allow phones during passing time; the district aims for consistent enforcement and will craft proposed language for board review.
Trustees asked staff to provide data from pilot schools (implementation outcomes, locked versus unlocked storage options and measurable effects on classroom outcomes). Director Song requested quantitative comparisons and follow‑up reporting; Vice President Cook also asked for data clarifying differences between middle and high school models.
The board also discussed a social‑media policy. Holly proposed separate policies for staff and board members. Legal counsel Sam Shauffey (Pacifica) advised that it is common to have separate policies (board policies in the 1,000 series, staff policies in the 5,000 series) and warned that OPMA violations related to board communications on social media can have legal consequences, including actions being voided if OPMA requirements are not followed. “If the OPMA is violated… individual board members may face individual liability and actions inconsistent with OPMA are null and void,” Sam said.
Why it matters: Cell‑phone and social‑media policies affect classroom management, student mental‑health initiatives and board‑governance practices. Trustees emphasized data‑driven policy drafting and asked for legal clarifications on board‑member limits and OPMA exposure.
What’s next: Staff will gather implementation data from schools with pilot phone policies, produce draft social‑media language (separate staff/board versions) and obtain legal guidance on OPMA implications for proposed board‑member rules.
