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Genoa Kingston board directs staff to draft high‑school cell‑phone policy, favors no phones in classrooms
Summary
Board members and students debated options required under new state law; the board directed the superintendent to draft a policy that would ban classroom phone use while allowing use during passing periods and lunch, with statutory exemptions included.
The Genoa Kingston Board of Education directed the superintendent to draft a high‑school cell‑phone policy after an extended discussion of options required under recent state legislation.
Superintendent said the district must adopt a policy following passage of Senate Bill 2427 and recommended that phones be kept in student lockers with no classroom use. “My recommendation…would be to keep them in their lockers. Um no classroom use,” the superintendent said, describing alternatives including a bell‑to‑bell ban or locker storage with use during passing periods and lunch.
Board members and students debated enforcement, liability and communication needs. Several board members and students said consistency of enforcement is central; one board member noted that, under current teacher discretion, implementation varied by classroom. Students warned about parental contact needs if phones are restricted and urged clear emergency procedures.
Student board member Emma James said the student advisory has organized outreach and supported a consistent policy enforcement approach; she also encouraged administrators to solicit broader student input. Student Aiden Bell said he supported a middle ground that would allow phone use during passing periods and lunch but keep classroom time focused on learning.
The board agreed to a compromise direction: ban phones during classroom instruction while allowing students to use phones during passing periods and at lunch, and have administration return with a draft policy well before school starts so the board can review it. The board also asked administration to collect data during the pilot period to inform future adjustments.
Members discussed required exemptions the statute specifies (to be included in the draft): health/medical needs and accommodations, English‑learner supports, caregiver responsibilities, and emergencies. The superintendent said those statutory exceptions will be built into the policy.
The board emphasized that a discipline progression for violations will be defined in the draft and that the administration will monitor implementation and return to the board with data and recommended adjustments. The draft policy is expected to be circulated to board members for feedback before the start of the school year.
