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Board discusses cellphone rules, enrollment decline and $1.2M budget shortfall
Summary
Board members described a forthcoming cell-phone policy that will allow only medical/IEP/504 exemptions and discussed a recent high-school enrollment decline and a reported $1.2 million budget deficit. Staff noted shifts to online options to recover some students.
Board members and staff used the Sept. 17 meeting to review a proposed cell-phone policy and discuss enrollment trends and budget constraints.
Board member (S13) described a cell-phone policy based on the OSBA model with the district's modification: "we are not going to have that exemption... We already have exemptions for medical reasons," the member said, adding that phones will be required to be put away bell-to-bell and the district will keep medical and IEP/504 exemptions.
A board member (S6) asked about an apparent high-school enrollment decline, stating the high school "went down by 77 students in the high school already from last year," and pressed whether the district knew why. Other board members and staff clarified that the cohort-to-cohort change more closely reflects a 20'to'2 student decrease in the relevant grade transition and that the district is exploring online options that could reengage students who have chosen other pathways.
Separately, the chair noted the board faces significant budget pressure, saying the district recently confronted "a $1,200,000 deficit" and that board members will be limited to attending one conference a year to reduce costs.
What happens next: The proposed cell-phone policy language will be part of upcoming policy work and the district will continue to analyze enrollment shifts and budget implications as it implements the approved organizational chart and evaluation timeline.
