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Board hears proposed restrictions on student cellphone use, raises logistical and equity questions
Summary
District staff proposed updates to the student telecommunication-device policy to restrict in-class cellphone use and clarify the role of a "school administrator or designee;" board members raised concerns about confiscation, return protocols, medical exceptions and the cost/legality of phone pouches.
District staff presented proposed revisions to Board Policy 03/1945 on student telecommunication devices, recommending language that would permit restricted in-class use and clarify that discretion belongs to a school administrator or an appointed designee.
The presenter (Speaker 12) said the revisions follow OSPI guidance and WASA/WASDA model language and broaden the definition of telecommunication devices to include smartphones, smartwatches and other connected personal devices. "It is not; it is not (sic) include the teacher," Speaker 12 clarified in response to a board question about the meaning of "designee," adding that medical devices and prescription-connected glasses would be exempted.
Board members questioned how confiscated devices would be returned and whether parents would always need to retrieve them. Speaker 2 described concerns about the logistics of returning phones and the potential burden on families; Speaker 7 and Speaker 12 said the policy could be edited to allow administrator discretion about returning devices at the end of the school day versus requiring parent pickup. The presenter also cautioned against district purchase of phone-pouch systems because some models that block cellular signals may be illegal and the up-front cost is substantial.
The board did not vote to adopt the revised policy at the meeting; staff said they would add clarifying language about confiscation/return logistics and medical exceptions and return with a revised draft.
