Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Student Technology topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Morland board adopts "off-and-away" cell-phone policy after public demand for stronger enforcement
Summary
The Morland School District board voted to adopt a revised mobile-device policy requiring students to keep phones off and stored during instructional hours, satisfying the July 1 deadline set by AB 3216. Parents and committee members pressed for lockable pouches and firmer discipline; staff said operational details will be set in an administrative regulation.
The Morland School District Board of Trustees on Monday approved a revised student mobile-device policy that requires phones and smart devices to be kept "off and away" during instructional hours, aligning the district with state law AB 3216 and triggering work on implementation procedures.
The policy, presented by district staff, replaces prior, more permissive language and extends the restriction to passing periods, lunch and recess unless an exception applies. "This legal mandate requires all California schools," a district presenter said while explaining the committee process that produced the recommended language.
Why it matters: AB 3216 imposed a statewide deadline for districts to adopt rules meant to limit classroom distraction and address student mental health concerns. Morland parents and teachers told the board they want consistent enforcement across sites and structural supports — in particular, lockable pouches — so teachers are not left to police phones in already full classrooms.
During public comment, Sabina, a parent and member of the district cell-phone committee, said the draft before the board did not reflect the committee's intent: "What we were presented tonight doesn't reflect the spirit of what the members of the community collectively agreed and presented to the community and a committee meeting started less than four months ago," she said. Katikin, another parent and hardware engineer, urged a bell-to-bell ban paired with locking pouches: "adopt a bell-to-bell ban with lockpouches or locks."
District staff and site administrators acknowledged those concerns but said operational choices (discipline steps, storage solutions, and whether to provide locking pouches) are implementation questions for an administrative regulation rather than the board policy itself. The presenter noted administrators judged district-wide locking devices could introduce new logistical challenges and would require more planning.
Board members emphasized the distinction between policy (the "what") and administrative regulations (the "how"). One trustee said approving the policy would "kickstart the process" so staff and site leaders could develop consistent, enforceable procedures. Several trustees expressed support for a bell-to-bell standard and committed to continued community engagement on implementation.
The board approved the policy by voice vote. The policy includes explicit exceptions for students with Individualized Education Programs or documented medical needs and for emergency communications. District staff committed to developing administrative regulations and implementation plans — including further consultation with principals, teachers and families — before the policy takes effect.
The next steps: Staff will draft an administrative regulation outlining discipline steps, accommodations, and options for secure storage; the board directed staff to return with operational recommendations and timelines for consistent enforcement.
