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Board weighs cell-phone ban after parent survey shows concerns about behavior
Summary
After a parent survey found roughly 60% of respondents saw behavior changes linked to cell phones, the board asked administration to draft a cell-phone policy for a first reading in July and possible adoption in August; operational options and exceptions were discussed.
The Random Lake School District board discussed whether to restrict or ban student cell-phone use after administration presented results from a parent survey showing strong concern about phones’ effects on student behavior.
Administration summarized the survey and board members described the responses as leaning toward restriction. Board members reported that roughly 60% of parents who responded said they had noticed behavior changes in their children that they attributed to cell-phone use. The administration recommended drafting policy language and bringing a first reading in July, with second-reading adoption planned for August.
Board discussion focused on practical implementation and exceptions. Members and staff discussed differences across grade levels, emergency-access concerns and operational approaches such as signal-blocking "fair bags" that allow students to carry phones in locked pouches. A board member noted that in active-threat drills phones are sometimes removed to avoid disrupting emergency communication protocols.
No formal policy vote occurred at the meeting. Administration said it will draft options (ban, limit, or phased approach) and work with counsel (NEOLA or other policy sources) to prepare a first-reading document for the July meeting.
