RUSD board adopts stricter cell‑phone policy for instructional settings, citing state law; vote 4–1

The Racine Unified School District Board of Education voted on July 20 to adopt a new district policy restricting personal communication devices (PCDs) in instructional settings.

Superintendent Gajewski summarized the proposal as aligned with a recently signed state law and said the district would go “above that” for elementary and middle school students by disallowing phones from the time students enter school until they leave. He described exceptions for medical reasons, translation needs and individualized education program (IEP) requirements and said the district would begin communications and principal-level implementation work after the vote.

Board members pressed for clarity on supports for English learners and on emerging devices such as smart glasses. One board member warned that exceptions could complicate enforcement; Gajewski said translation and medical exceptions were intended and would be handled case by case. A high‑school teacher on the board argued against allowing phone access during passing time, saying anticipation of phone access can be as distracting as having a device in hand.

After discussion the board moved to approve the policy. The motion carried, recorded as four yeses and one no among members present.

What’s next: The superintendent said the district will communicate the policy to schools, work with principals on implementation, and monitor results with adjustments planned “after the 1st semester.”