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Board adopts student cell phone policy that leaves site-level discretion to schools
Summary
The board adopted BP/AR 5131.8 on student cell phone use, framing the policy broadly to allow school site leadership teams to tailor rules when devices become distractions and to preserve documented health exceptions.
The Arcadia Unified School District board adopted a new student cell phone policy (BP/AR 5131.8) that emphasizes local, site-level discretion and frames the issue as classroom management and culture rather than a highly prescriptive district rule.
Dr. Forsey, who reintroduced the item, said the policy is designed to be responsive to changing devices and practices and "anything that's a distraction in class needs to be restricted." Board members raised questions on documented health exceptions (for example, a student needing a phone to monitor diabetes) and about wearable devices such as iWatches. Forsey said documented medical needs would be accommodated through school staff and parent coordination and that sites could adopt more restrictive practices if a particular device or behavior was problematic.
Following discussion, a motion to adopt the policy was moved and seconded and approved by voice vote. Board members said the policy was intentionally non-prescriptive so that site leadership teams and teachers retain authority to address classroom disruptions and to respond to any state-law changes that may follow.
