Doctor Rodriguez: cell‑phone policy will be operational on first day of school; discipline matrix near completion

Doctor Rodriguez said the district’s cell‑phone policy "will be operational on day 1," and that staff expect to finish updating the discipline matrix "probably by midweek." The remarks came at the board’s agenda‑setting meeting on July 25 as members prepared the Aug. 6 business meeting agenda.

The board discussed whether the discipline matrix needs a formal vote. Doctor Rodriguez said the matrix is an operational document and "I don't know that that really has to come to the board," adding that staff would nonetheless give a report at the business meeting. He said the team is finalizing consequences tied to cell‑phone violations and that the administration will share specifics as part of the superintendent's update.

On communications, Doctor Rodriguez told the board, "we are gonna be sending communication out to parents and and to everyone about that cell phone policy." He also cautioned that staff prefer to present the matrix without framing that could be misrepresented, saying, "the media is just gonna take that and run with it with a totally negative connotation."

Board members agreed to place the cell‑phone policy update under "other matters" on the Aug. 6 agenda so the public will hear the operational details before the school year begins. The discipline matrix was described as nearly complete and not requiring a separate board vote; staff will present the update and distribute communications to families ahead of the first day of school.

Next steps: staff will finalize the discipline matrix, provide the board update during the Aug. 6 business meeting and send districtwide communications to families about the policy and its effective date.