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Committee endorses a package of policy updates, flags state legislation affecting cell‑phone rules
Summary
The committee endorsed a broad package of policy edits for full‑board approval, including technical corrections, school support organization rules, artificial intelligence guidance and Act 57‑related changes; members discussed local cell‑phone protocols and potential state legislation requiring 'bell‑to‑bell' no‑cell rules.
The Wausau School District committee of the whole reviewed and endorsed a broad packet of policy changes March 23 and voted to forward the package to the full board for final approval.
Mr. Bushman walked the committee through multiple policy revisions spanning board member conduct and communications, committee rules, district administrator evaluations and administrative guidelines; he also presented a set of school support organization policies covering fundraising, crowdfunding, oversight and relations with non‑district groups. The packet included technical corrections, which several members agreed could be handled administratively, and a final group of Act 57–related edits addressing student supervision, welfare and child abuse and neglect policy language.
Board discussion touched on the district’s personal communication device (PCD) protocols. John Tomsky explained the district currently restricts PCD use during instructional time but applies different practices by level: elementary and middle schools use a bell‑to‑bell restriction while high schools follow protocols that allow some instructional use. Tomsky said the administration adjusted model language from Neola to reflect local practices and that if pending state legislation requiring universal 'no‑cell' during class time passes, the district will update its policy to comply with state law. A board member advocating local control said the district’s approach is working and cautioned against outside mandates.
After discussion, the chair moved that the committee endorse the proposed policies for full‑board consideration; the motion was seconded and carried by voice vote. The committee’s action was an endorsement to the full board rather than final adoption.
