Meridian board asks for more research on student-device policy after detailed student and staff input

Trustees discussed Policy & Procedure 3245 — the district’s draft policy on student use of personal electronic devices — but did not adopt it and asked staff to gather further research and stakeholder input.

The discussion covered several practical issues that trustees said require clearer language and implementation guidance: whether smart watches should be allowed and how to enforce limitations on ‘‘smart capabilities,’’ how to interpret the phrase ‘‘stored out of sight’’ (is a device in a pocket acceptable), enforcement responsibility during hallways, bathrooms or independent-study blocks, and whether classroom phone caddies or locked pouches would be practical districtwide. Students on the board and attending the meeting described how phone caddies or consistent classroom routines reduce distraction and urged a districtwide, consistent approach rather than piecemeal teacher-by-teacher enforcement.

Board members asked staff to bring back policy comparisons from other districts, survey data gathered from the community and staff, and proposed language to clarify enforceability and safety exceptions. One trustee explicitly requested that other stakeholder groups (teachers, administrators, parents) be consulted.

Because a motion to approve the policy led to further discussion and a request for additional analysis, the board did not finalize adoption at this meeting and directed staff to return with revised language and supporting information.