Monona Grove adopts wireless device policy under Wisconsin Act 42; staff to flesh out high‑school implementation

To comply with Wisconsin Act 42, the Monona Grove School District board adopted policy PO 5136 restricting wireless communication device (WCD) use during instructional time unless a teacher authorizes the device for learning. The policy covers e‑readers, smartphones, wearable and other web‑enabled devices and directs that violations be reported to the building principal.

Administration and policy committee members said the statute required a district policy and that the district had worked through multiple drafts with building staff, particularly high school administrators. High school implementation will require additional logistics — for example whether phones will be stored in cubbies, lockers or backpacks — and staff will build handbook language and communications for families.

Board members asked administration to ensure that emergency contact processes are clear to parents and that students retain the ability to contact caregivers when necessary (the policy allows students to use school phones to contact parents). Several members asked for an implementation update once schools finalize handbook procedures; administration said the board will revisit details after the summer.

The motion to adopt the policy passed by voice vote.