Banning Unified holds first reading of student mobile-device policy; staff describe exemptions and enforcement options

Banning Unified School District board members discussed a first reading of a proposed policy on student mobile communication devices during their June 12 meeting. Staff described the policy’s intent to limit phone usage to increase student engagement while preserving narrowly tailored exceptions.

Staff noted the policy includes exceptions for medical or mental‑health needs and for accommodations referenced in Individualized Education Programs. "It could be, for students with IEPs, if there's something that was determined that they're going to need to access on their device, they would then be able to access that," a district presenter said, noting the enforcement challenge such exceptions can present.

Trustees and staff discussed enforcement strategies used at some sites, including Yondr pouches, which lock phones for the day, and classroom 'phone pockets' that hold devices until class ends. Superintendent Davis (Mr. Davis) and other trustees emphasized the need to avoid placing enforcement burdens solely on teachers; Davis described successful implementations at some sites, and trustees urged that expectations and consequences be set from the start of the year.

Board members also discussed balancing enforcement with positive reinforcement strategies and the governor’s guidance that districts adopt device policies. The policy is a first reading; the board did not adopt it during the June 12 meeting and will return with next steps in a future session.