Cell phone policy remains tabled as residents urge flexibility and ask about homeschool sports

The Warren Hills board continued to defer formal action on the district's Cell Phone Policy on Sept. 10, saying the resolution was tabled at the Aug. 27 meeting and would remain off the agenda until the administration drafts a corresponding regulation. Board member Thomas Dufner asked for clarity about the tabling decision, for consistent public-comment time limits, and for data on detentions since the last meeting.

During the second public-comment period, several residents addressed the board. Ms. Lucci of Washington Township urged the board to allow student mobile-phone use; Mrs. Mizerek, also of Washington Township, said a teacher request that students put phones away would be sufficient. Mr. & Mrs. Funk (Washington Township) asked that children who are homeschooled be permitted to participate in middle-school sports; Superintendent Earl C. Clymer III confirmed that Oxford is included in the district's cluster curriculum project and answered an inquiry about participation. Mr. Lucci of Asbury commented that "phones provide lifelines for students."

Board materials show the Education, Policy & Technology Committee has been drafting a cell phone regulation that would address progressive discipline, parental contact, confiscation, passing time and extracurricular consequences; the board indicated the resolution will stay tabled until that written regulation is ready for review.

What happens next: the administration and Education & Policy committee will continue to draft the proposed regulation, which must be reviewed before the board votes on any policy change.