Board weighs new student mobile-device policy as staff seeks phased rollout

Capistrano Unified staff presented a first reading of proposed board policy 5131.8, aligning district rules with recent state law (the Cell Phone Free Schools Act, AB 3216) and summarizing site pilots that limit student cell-phone use during instructional time.

Staff described a phased, flexible approach: secondary sites piloted different models (some collect phones in class, others restrict in instructional periods) and staff recommended focusing enforcement on instructional time first because district staffing limits make policing thousands of student devices during noninstructional periods (passing periods and lunch) difficult. Superintendent Dr. Chris Brown said the district’s priority is to protect instructional time and to avoid a policy it cannot enforce.

Trustees, the student board member and speakers urged stronger action. Trustee Jones recommended tightening language for medical exemptions so physician notes permit only health-related device use, and asked for clearer language restricting use to supervision and control by employees (for example, on field trips). The student board member and several trustees pressed the board to consider a bell-to-bell ban, citing classroom focus and social benefits.

Staff and trustees discussed technology edge cases — smartwatches and augmented-reality glasses — and the practical challenges of enforcement, equity and emergency communications. Staff said many K–8 and most middle schools already operate bell-to-bell restrictions and that high schools are piloting collection or storage approaches. The board directed staff to incorporate tonight’s input and return with updated policy language and implementation plans in time to meet the June statutory deadline for district procedures.

No final policy vote occurred; the item was a first reading and will return for board consideration.