Lifetime Citizen Portal Access — AI Briefings, Alerts & Unlimited Follows
San Rosa board adopts districtwide student device policy, directs implementation planning
Loading...
Summary
After months of pilots and debate, the San Rosa City Schools board voted 5–1 to adopt a districtwide policy that restricts student use of mobile communication and entertainment devices on campus with exceptions for emergencies and for students with IEPs or 504 plans. Trustees directed staff to return with administrative rules and an implementation timeline.
The San Rosa City Schools Board of Education voted 5–1 on April 8 to adopt a districtwide policy limiting student use of mobile communication and entertainment devices on school campuses, citing state law (AB 3216) and pilot results from Montgomery and Santa Rosa High.
Board members and staff framed the decision as an attempt to reduce classroom distractions, curb social-media-driven conflicts and support student mental health. Stacy Desideri, executive director of wellness and engagement, told trustees the proposal responds to state guidance and local surveys: "By July 2026, you must have a consistent, districtwide policy addressing this," she said, urging a coherent district approach rather than a patchwork of site rules.
Principals and teachers who piloted policies described mixed but notable benefits. Montgomery principal Santos said the school ‘‘saw a reduction in DNF rates. We saw a reduction in student fights and struggles on campus, a lot of less social bullying,’’ and described a system of progressive responses and low-cost phone pouches used to remove in-class distraction while preserving emergency access. At Santa Rosa High, staff described uneven implementation and stressed the need for stable site leadership and clear administrative regulations before a full rollout.
Trustees debated two broadly described options: one that limits phones to non-instructional times (before/after school, brunch/lunch) and one that prohibits device use on campus except for defined exceptions. Several trustees pushed for strong, consistent rules with clear exceptions for emergency health needs and for students whose IEPs or 504 plans require device access. After deliberation the board chose the more prohibitive district standard and included explicit exceptions, directing staff to produce an administrative regulation (AR) that covers enforcement, testing accommodations and reasonable transitional steps for different grade bands.
Trustee concerns centered on enforcement, staffing and family communication. Teachers and administrators warned of a difficult initial adjustment period and urged the board to provide resources for implementation — including parent outreach, site-level training and protocols for documenting progressive discipline. Trustees asked that the policy protect students who require technology for medical or disability-related reasons; staff confirmed IEPs and 504 health plans will be treated as exceptions.
Board President (speaker 1) summarized the next steps: staff will draft the AR, produce an implementation calendar and return with a detailed rollout plan and training schedule. The board flagged the July timeline called for in state guidance and asked that staff present costs, supervision implications and communications plans before fall implementation.
The vote was 5 in favor, 1 opposed (Trustee De La Torre). The board directed staff to return with the administrative regulations and an implementation plan with checkpoints for the full board.
What happens next: staff will write district ARs that define the exceptions, progressive-discipline steps and site procedures for secure storage or supervised access. The board asked for regular progress updates during rollout and emphasized parent outreach and equity of enforcement.
