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Laurel board debates strict cell‑phone ban for high school; handbook approval tabled for revisions
Summary
Administrators and the board sparred over whether to ban phones at Laurel High School. Proponents said a ban would reduce bullying and classroom distraction and shift enforcement off teachers; opponents raised equity and implementation concerns. The board voted to table the high‑school handbook for revision and further review.
A long board discussion over cellphone policy at Laurel High School ended with trustees tabling the high‑school handbook so administrators and the board can refine phone rules and consider codifying them in district policy.
Dr. Bington, joined by Mr. Russell, urged stronger action, saying classrooms should be phone‑free and that the district needs to be prepared for a difficult initial enforcement period. "I think phones have gotten out of control," Dr. Bington said, arguing that a strict, board‑backed policy — rather than piecemeal enforcement by individual teachers — would be easier to apply consistently.
Board members noted tradeoffs. Some trustees favored mirroring the middle‑school policy (phones kept in lockers; not visible during school hours) to provide consistency when students transition between buildings. Other board members and public commenters raised concerns about equity and unintended consequences: parents and students rely on phones for work schedules, family communications and urgent messages, and off‑campus lunch options would create inconsistent enforcement. One audience member said banning phones during lunch could push students off campus, reducing participation in school meal programs.
Administrators and some teachers said enforcement could be time‑consuming and might require backing from the board and superintendent during the policy's early weeks. The board discussed a potential approach: edit district policy language (policy 3630 was referenced) and return a clarified handbook to the board at a future meeting. After discussion, trustees moved and passed a motion to table the high‑school handbook to allow additional edits and stakeholder review.
Next steps: administrators will revise the handbook language to more closely align with middle‑school rules or to incorporate a clearer, board‑approved prohibition; the revised handbook will be circulated to trustees before the next meeting and the board will consider policy codification at an upcoming session.
