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Board reviews new student mobile‑device policy; implementation details to return in August
Summary
Trustees discussed a new state‑required policy limiting student smartphone use during instructional time and debated implementation details including recess use, teacher pouches and equity/exceptions; the board asked staff to return in August with pilot data from Columbia Middle School and recommendations before final rollout.
The board reviewed proposed language implementing state law on limiting student use of smartphones and mobile communication devices during instructional time. Staff said the policy aims to keep devices "off and away" during instructional periods while allowing exceptions for safety, IEP needs or administrator/teacher permission. Doctor Dean (policy lead) and middle‑school staff described an ongoing Columbia Middle School pilot in which classroom pouches and digital hall‑pass tools were tested.
Trustees raised concerns about students—access to phones during recess, accommodations for medical or anxiety needs, and parental expectations in the event of emergencies. Some trustees favored allowing supervised smartphone use at recess; others preferred more conservative pouch‑based approaches. The board voted to approve the policy language on the record but asked staff to return before school begins with pilot results and recommended procedures so campus rollouts, recess rules and discipline guidance can be harmonized in August.
