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District staff describe rapid rollout of executive order limiting student phone use
Summary
District staff told the council the district drafted a policy to implement a governor’s executive order restricting student phone use; initial reports from schools show reduced in-school phone use and staff emphasized teaching and modeling over punitive responses while tracking violations.
District staff briefed the Parent Advisory Council on a drafted policy to implement a governor’s executive order restricting student cellphone use during school hours.
The staff member explained the policy draft will be considered at the district policy committee and must be adopted by Oct. 1 to meet the executive order’s timetable, with enactment expected by Jan. 1. "The law is the executive order is pretty clear. You cannot use these," the staff member said, adding that the district is allowing limited exceptions such as off-campus travel for extracurricular events and school-authorized uses.
Staff reported early implementation at secondary schools has been ‘‘surprisingly well’’ and that teachers and administrators are working to model appropriate behavior. The district distinguishes device violations from insubordination; repeated refusal or profanity is documented as insubordination rather than a device-only infraction, the presenter said.
Council members asked about enforcement options; staff acknowledged districts may consider locked storage pouches if voluntary compliance fails, but for now the focus is on instruction and modeling. The presenter said the district will continue to track violations and report back to the council at a future meeting.
The council also asked for clarity about wearable devices and other emerging products; staff noted the policy will address edge cases and that the district will refine administrative rules as needed.
