Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Student Policy topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Board to prohibit student cell phone use during instructional time at Washburn Rural High School starting 2026-27
Summary
Following a site council recommendation, the board approved a policy banning student cell phone and wearable-device use during instructional time at Washburn Rural High School, effective with the 2026-2027 school year; enforcement will route visible devices to the office rather than relying on individual teacher discipline.
The board approved the Washburn Rural High School site council recommendation that prohibits student use of cell phones during instructional time, effective at the start of the 2026-2027 school year. The motion passed 7 to 0.
"I move that the board of education approve the Washburn Rural High School site council's recommendation as presented, which prohibits student use of cell phones during instructional time effective at the start of the 2026-2027 school year," the board member who moved the motion said during the action item.
Ed, the site council representative and building leader who described advisory structures at the high school, explained that Tuesdays are curriculum days and should be protected from cellphone distraction: "Tuesdays are curriculum days. I consider those instructional, that instructional time and I would not want to see cell phones during that time." Board members asked about inconsistent enforcement reported by students in HYA sessions; Ed said the policy language moves enforcement out of teacher discretion and into the office, with phones and wearable devices taken to the office when they are out during instructional time.
The board noted the policy's effective date gives the district the remainder of the semester to prepare communications and procedures before the start of school in 2026-27.
