Students and parents tell Pewaukee board a full-day phone ban is too broad; board tables vote

The Pewaukee School District Board of Education heard more than a half-dozen public comments urging the board not to adopt a blanket ban on personal communication devices before voting to table the policy.

Several students and a parent told the board the current practice — no phones during instructional time but allowed during passing periods and lunch — is a reasonable compromise and that a complete ban would cut off essential communication. Catherine Booth, a senior, said she supported “no phones during instructional period,” but called a full-day ban “unrealistic,” adding that phone access between classes and at lunch allows students to manage jobs, sports and college responsibilities. “Having my phone out in class is not respectful...but having it during passing periods, in between classes or at…