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Board reviews first reading to require student cell phones be stored out of sight
Summary
At a first reading, the superintendent proposed a policy for 2026–27 requiring student wireless devices to be kept in lockers and out of sight during the school day, with limited medical and instructional exceptions; no vote was taken on policy adoption.
The Barr-Reeve Community Schools board heard a first reading of updated board policy on wireless communication devices that would require most students to keep cell phones in lockers and out of sight during the school day, the superintendent said.
The superintendent told the board the change would be implemented as a procedure this fall and that teachers would still be able to allow devices for instructional purposes. "This fall, they're not going to be able to do that... they have to be in the... locker, put away, so the big thing is just out of sight," the superintendent said during the presentation.
The proposal includes narrow exceptions for medical needs (for example, students who use phones to monitor or administer insulin) and for assistive technology used for hearing or visual needs; those uses would be documented in 504 plans or health-care plans, the superintendent said. She added that accommodations would be communicated in advance for students who need them.
Because the item was presented as a first reading, the board did not take action to adopt the policy. The superintendent said the final policy language and aligned role responsibilities will be returned for board consideration at the next meeting.
