Board adopts ‘Buckle Up, Phone Down’ resolution after student FCCLA presentation

Belton School District No. 124’s Board of Education unanimously approved a resolution on Oct. 15 endorsing the 'Buckle Up, Phone Down' safety campaign after a presentation by Belton High School students and their adviser.

Students representing the Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) and Jordan, the traction adviser, told the board the campaign focuses on two actions — wearing seat belts and putting phones down while driving — and intends to gather student pledges and run school outreach. "Our goal is to bring awareness to safe driving," Jordan said, describing summer planning at the FCCLA conference and subsequent local activities.

The resolution, dated Oct. 15, states the district "recognizes that seat belt use is the single most effective way to save lives and reduce injuries in traffic crashes" and commits the district to promote the initiative through student programs, staff communications and community engagement. Mary Cummings read the proclamation for the board during the meeting.

Board members moved and seconded the resolution; after the call for the question the motion passed. Board members also arranged a photo opportunity with the students and noted cooperation with Officer Myers, who was described as supporting the program and working with students at leadership camp.

The board’s action directs district staff to promote the campaign in schools and encourage students, staff and community partners to take the pledge; no fiscal appropriation was specified in the resolution. The student presenters were excused after the meeting.

Votes at the meeting were recorded as part of a standard motion-and-second procedure and the resolution was approved by the board at the meeting’s vote.

The board meets next in its regular schedule; the resolution text and any implementation details will be available through district communications.