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 lunch helps me communicate effectively,” Booth said.

Mia Telles, a junior, agreed that classroom restrictions help focus learning but urged the board not to ban AirPods outright because some teachers use audio and some AP courses require students to take high-quality progress photos for portfolios. “If you ban phones altogether, I won’t even have access to that technology on campus to take those AP-level pictures,” Telles told the board. Regan Dea, another senior, said the current rules foster responsibility and warned that stricter rules could force students to circumvent policy to meet real-world obligations such as coordinating practice equipment or job schedules.

Parent Nicole Hauge framed the issue as one of safety and mental-health supports. She said a student’s phone was a “lifeline” during a lockdown last year, allowing her to calm and reassure her child and help manage the situation. Hauge told the board that phones also enable students to access health apps and stay connected to guardians when medical needs arise.

Student board representatives presented results from a high-school survey they distributed: the students reported 560 responses. Presenters said responses were mixed on mental-health effects and focus; many students supported restrictions during class time but wanted exceptions for instructional use, health needs, or emergency response. Administrative staff confirmed that the district’s implementation so far produced 66 first-time device offenses and 11 repeat offenses in the initial weeks after the restriction was enforced. Administrators also explained that multi-factor authentication (MFA) is required for staff accounts but not for student Chromebook accounts except in specific circumstances such as AP classroom services.

Board members asked for additional data, including teacher perspectives, and whether survey summaries could be counted for response frequency. After the presentation and questions, a board member moved to table consideration of the policy (cited in the meeting as policy 5300.15). The motion was seconded and approved by voice vote; the item was tabled to the board’s October meeting.

What happens next: The board asked administration to distribute the full survey data, to add teacher responses if available, and to provide additional clarifying details before the next vote. The policy remains under consideration; the board set the matter for further review on the record.