Racine Unified governance committee sends 'cell phone free schools' referral to February work session

The Racine Unified School District governance committee voted unanimously to send a referral on a proposed “cell phone free schools” policy to a February work session for a fuller presentation and discussion.

During the meeting the chair proposed that the referring board member (Scott) present his referral at a dedicated work session so the committee could have a more robust discussion than tonight's agenda allowed. "If we move this to the work session, then Scott will be able to present his referral and his discussion and rationale for behind it," the chair said.

Missus Veil moved the motion and Missus Allen seconded. A roll‑call vote was recorded and the motion carried with nine yeses. The committee asked that the referring member be prepared to clarify what he means by a district‑wide cell phone prohibition and to provide proposed guardrails that will not improperly constrain the superintendent’s authority to implement policy.

The chair noted staff had spoken with district leadership about how the board might amend policy language to express the board’s vision without micromanaging operational authority: "we will be able to make it known to him our desires, and that will be represented in the indicators and interpretations," the chair said. The committee scheduled the next steps as a February work session where the referring member will present his proposal for discussion.