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West Noble reports high survey response and mixed reactions to new middle- and high-school cellphone policy
Summary
Administrators told the board that early surveys show most students find the new cellphone-in-lockers policy manageable, staff report increased engagement, but some students express worry about missing family emergencies; the board discussed exemptions and communication plans.
District administrators reported survey results and early outcomes from a new cellphone policy that requires phones to remain in lockers at the middle and high schools.
A high-school administrator (self-identified in the presentation as the high-school contact) told the board they surveyed about 400 students; roughly 40% said they "hate" the new policy, 37% said it was not difficult, and 21% said it was not great but manageable. The administrator told the board the policy was teacher-driven and that teachers report fewer classroom distractions.
The high-school administrator described the discipline sequence: a first classroom warning can result in a temporary desk-holding of the device; phones taken to the office require parent pickup the same day; a second offense at the high school may be held for three weeks with parent acknowledgement, which staff said is an effective deterrent.
For the middle school, administrators reported 471 students responded to a survey within minutes and that staff returned overwhelmingly positive feedback: "100% feel that the students are more engaged and concentrating in class," the middle-school administrator said. At the middle school the policy window was described as 8:30 a.m. to 3:20 p.m.; when phones are brought to the office the parent pickup requirement remains and second offenses typically result in in-school consequences rather than three-week holds.
Board members raised two recurring concerns: access during family emergencies and tardiness related to locker travel during the school day. A trustee noted that some students fear missing family news if they cannot access phones immediately, and administration said parents should call the office in an emergency so staff can reach the student and provide needed supports.
Administrators said there have been few formal exemption requests (medical exemptions such as for glucose monitors are the most common) and no large influx of appeals. Staff reported far fewer phones turned into the office compared with last year, and teachers say classroom focus appears to have improved.
The board did not vote on the policy at the meeting; administrators asked for the board’s continued support and said they will follow up with additional communication to parents about emergency contact protocols.
