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Board adopts district cell‑phone policy with allowance for stricter site rules
Summary
After discussion of AB 272 and classroom use, the board approved policy 5131.8 establishing minimum district expectations that mobile devices not be used during instructional time while permitting sites to adopt more restrictive rules.
The Jefferson Union High School District board voted to adopt a revised student mobile communications policy, BP 5131.8, that sets minimum districtwide expectations for mobile device use during instructional time and allows individual school sites to implement more restrictive rules consistent with law.
District staff returned the policy with redline edits tied to AB 272 and recommended board approval. The policy language makes clear that students “may not use cell phones, smartwatches, pagers, [and] other mobile communication devices on campus during instructional time,” while still allowing sites the discretion to require devices to be stored in pouches or otherwise out of reach.
Trustees discussed the practical implications for classroom instruction and translation needs. One trustee said they were “kind of more of agreement of cell phones being put away for that bell to bell” but noted some teachers and programs rely on personal devices for instruction or translation. Staff and trustees discussed options for district IT solutions that could reduce instructional reliance on personal phones.
A motion to approve policy 5131.8 was made, seconded and passed by voice vote.
The policy change applies districtwide; sites that choose a stricter implementation must ensure those local rules comply with state law and the adopted board policy.
