Ad hoc committee to define mission on student cell phone and social media use

An ad hoc committee convened Oct. 3 in the MS/HS Library at 705 Ross Street in Mineral Point to define its mission on student cell phone and social media use. The agenda posed the central question: "Ad Hoc Committee regarding cell phone use: What is the mission?" and set out five focal tasks.

The agenda lists the committee's first task as to "Bring community, staff, board and administration together to discuss the growing concern of cell phone use and social media and it's impact on the academics, and social and emotional state of our kids." It also states the group should "understand how cell phones and social media in school is impacting kids academically, socially and emotionally," review how other districts manage devices and platforms to "minimize student harm and also maximize learning," consider ways to "better educate our parents on cell phone use and social media use," and "Review current policies and do they align to current thinking, best practices, etc."

The session, as reflected in the agenda, was informational: no motions, votes, or formal actions are recorded in the provided transcript. The items identify core next steps for the committee: stakeholder convening, information-gathering on academic and social-emotional impacts, benchmarking district policies against peer practices, designing parent education, and assessing whether existing policies align with current best practices. The agenda does not specify timelines, staff assignments, or funding sources for those tasks.

The committee is part of the Mineral Point Unified School District's process to address technology and student wellbeing; the transcript provided is an agenda, and it does not record further discussion, decisions, or public comment. Future meetings or materials would be needed to report any staff reports, data reviews, proposed policy language, or formal recommendations.