RSU 24 tables student device policy after hour-long debate over lockers, emergencies and DOE guidance

The RSU 24 board considered revisions to policy JICJ (student use of cell phones and other personal electronic devices). Proposed changes included a bell-to-bell rule requiring devices to remain powered off and stored as determined by the building administrator, a suggested locker-or-bag option, and language allowing students to use their personal device in limited personal-emergency situations under a building procedure.

Board members and administrators raised operational concerns: how devices would be collected and secured, whether elementary and secondary schools would use the same approach, special accommodations for students without bags or lockers, and how emergency use would be handled during a building-wide emergency versus a personal emergency. One member noted Department of Education guidance that permitted administrators discretion but emphasized the need for building-level procedures. A board member said the many unanswered questions made it prudent to withdraw the on-the-floor amendments and send the policy to committee for further work.

The chair confirmed the motion to table and the board voted to send JICJ back to committee and to schedule committee meetings before August so a final policy can be in place before the school year. No final policy was adopted at the meeting.

Representative quote from the discussion: Carla said she had "…a little bit of research" and cited DOE guidance supporting a locker-or-bag approach and limited personal-emergency use. The board chair said it would be better to send the matter back to committee than to finalize the policy without building-administrator input.