Board weighs a stricter cell‑phone ban; administrators to return logistics plan

Board members spent a substantial portion of the May 6 meeting discussing a proposed tightening of the district’s cell‑phone policy. Administrators told trustees the leadership team and several teachers support a stricter approach to limit device access during the school day, but warned a workable logistics plan is required before any policy change.

Secondary principal Mr. Wood said he expects a transition toward a stricter ban but emphasized the operational questions: "If we're gonna do it, we need to collect cell phones. And if we do that, then what is the process for that? Where are the phones kept? Where do we hand them back at the end of the day?" He urged the board to consider sustainability, staff workload and consistent enforcement.

Board members asked administration to gather examples from nearby districts, and to clarify costs and responsibilities. Trustees discussed options that other districts use: student‑kept locked pouches or locker storage, classroom or building collection carts, and parent pick‑up for repeated violations. Several members flagged potential costs and labor impacts: purchase of pouches or cart systems, secure storage needs, and whether the district can enforce locker use for students who do not lock their lockers.

Administrators and board members agreed they want more detail before acting. Mr. Wood and the leadership team will collect sample policies and model logistics (including vendor costs and staff roles) and return with recommendations at a future meeting. The board asked for comparisons to neighboring districts and for the leadership team to present a realistic, enforceable model rather than an aspirational rule.

Next step: Administration will consult principals, gather examples, estimate costs of storage/collection systems and present a recommendation for the June meeting; the board did not vote.