School board approves first reading of stricter personal communication devices policy, defers enforcement details to handbook

The Random Lake School District board on Thursday approved a first reading of a revised policy restricting studentsuse of personal communication devices during the school day, while directing administration to return with specific enforcement details for the student handbook.

Board members said the goal of the change is to reduce classroom distractions and support student focus. The motion, presented as a first reading with possible action, passed after extended discussion about how the policy would be implemented and enforced.

Board discussion centered on three practical questions: whether reporting violations should be mandatory, whether reporting should be limited to staff rather than peers, and how the district would require devices to be kept "out of sight." Several members urged shifting mandatory reporting language from a broad "person" requirement to a staff-only reporting requirement so as not to encourage student-on-student enforcement. The board also flagged locker access and equipment such as "Fair Day" signal-blocking bags as possible implementation options but noted cost and logistics concerns.

Administration said the handbook can and should spell out operational details (for example, where devices must be stored, the role of staff in enforcement, and responses for repeated violations), and that the board could adjust the handbook language as the policy is piloted. Staff also noted emergency-communication trade-offs: removing student access to cellular service can reduce confusing mass alerts during an incident but may make routine parent contact more cumbersome; the district said staff systems for emergency messages will be used to bridge that gap.

On procedural questions, board members requested clearer definitions of "out of sight" and examples of reasonable exceptions, and emphasized consistency in enforcement so similar infractions receive similar responses. The board approved the first-reading action and urged staff to prepare handbook language and return for further review and a potential second reading.

The decision follows committee review and survey feedback the district cited as part of its effort to reduce in-classroom distraction. The boardsaid it will monitor early implementation closely and expects to revisit both policy text and handbook procedures after initial roll-out.