Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Cell Phone Policy topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Plymouth-Canton board adopts wireless communications device policy in 1st-and-final reading
Summary
The Plymouth-Canton board voted to adopt a districtwide wireless communications device policy as a 1st-and-final reading (action item 270808) to comply with recent state law; the policy calls for physical separation of student phones during instructional time and relies on teacher discretion and administrative guidelines for exemptions.
The Plymouth-Canton Community Schools Board of Education voted to adopt a new wireless communications device policy as a 1st-and-final reading (action item 270808) during its Aug. 4 business meeting. The policy implements a state requirement that districts prohibit student use of wireless communication devices during instructional time and establishes enforcement mechanisms and specified exemptions.
Superintendent Monica Merrick and chief human resources officer Abdul Madion presented the draft policy and implementation plan, saying the district will roll out a mix of physical “caddies” or cubbies at high schools and different approaches for middle and elementary levels. A researcher who spoke to the board summarized evidence supporting the approach: "Students performed worse when the phone was nearby on the desk," the presenter said, citing a 2017 study on phone presence and cognitive distraction. Student participants in pilot classrooms told the board that putting phones in cubbies reduced distraction and increased classroom interaction.
Board members sought clarifications about the policy’s technical definitions and operational details. Legal counsel told the board the district’s policy language mirrors the statutory definition the board is required to adopt and noted district-owned instructional devices are treated differently. Board questions focused on whether tablets, smartwatches and personal laptops fall under the ban, how the rules apply in gymnasiums or at after-school events, and how the district plans to communicate changes to families before school opens on Aug. 31.
Students who piloted the program described mixed feelings but generally positive outcomes. One student participant said the pilot "was sent to student responsibility," describing how the system placed responsibility for the devices with students rather than staff. Administrators described staged enforcement: initial reminders, then short-term collection, with parent conferences for repeat infractions, and emphasized coaching rather than punitive battles.
The motion to consider the resolution as a 1st-and-final reading was made by Judy Westra and seconded by Patrick Kehoe. After board discussion the president called the vote; all members present responded in the affirmative and the president directed administration to post the policy and implementation materials on the district website for families and staff to review.
The board directed administration to include implementation details in the student code of conduct and in back-to-school communications, and to provide training and guidance for teachers prior to the first day of school.
