Board discusses 'devices off, learning on' plan for cell phones and watches; discipline and medical exceptions debated

At the meeting, the board reviewed a proposed personal‑device policy administrators described as 'devices off, learning on.' The presenter said the executive instruction and local decisions require a board policy to be in place by October, with district implementation expected earlier so students would start school under the new practice.

The policy would leave elementary practice unchanged; middle‑ and high‑school students would be expected to keep phones off and in backpacks or lockers from entry to exit. The presenter said phones would not be confiscated districtwide but stored in a secure place (backpacks/lockers) and that schools already use targeted solutions such as 'phone jails' for confiscated devices.

Board members pressed on enforcement and equity. One board member urged consistent staff enforcement and 'zero tolerance' to make the cultural change effective, while another asked how medical needs would be handled; administrators said a doctor's note or medical documentation would allow exceptions for devices tied to care (for example, blood‑sugar monitoring equipment).

The discussion also covered wearable devices: watches were included under the personal‑device definition and would be subject to the same limits. Administrators proposed an educational, progressive discipline ladder (first offense: educational conversation, second: parent pickup, subsequent offenses: longer device holds) paired with reminders and consistent staff follow‑through.

Administrators said sample policy language and first/second reads will be provided to the board next month.