Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Student Policy topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Board adopts stricter student cell-phone policy; 6-1 vote
Summary
The board approved Policy 5209 Option 1 limiting student phone use: no phones at elementary and cell-phone use at middle and high school restricted to lunch. The motion passed 6-1 with Mr. Kempton voting no; principals urged careful rollout plans.
The Benzie County Central Board of Education voted 6-1 on June 8 to adopt Policy 5209 (Student Use of Wireless Communications Devices), Option 1 with optional language. The policy prohibits cell phone use at the elementary level and limits middle school and high school students to phone use only during lunch; phones must remain in student lockers if brought to school. The motion was moved by Mrs. Campana, supported by Mr. Egeler, and passed with Mr. Kempton recorded as the lone dissenting vote.
During audience participation on an agenda item, Principal Cheryl Smith told the board she was concerned about how the policy would be rolled out and enforced, urging "a deliberate and strategic plan to get this information out there, as it is she that will be the individuals having to enforce this policy." Principal Byland said middle school staff supported the restriction as "appropriate developmentally." The board did not delay implementation but discussed outreach and the need for clear enforcement expectations.
