Superintendent outlines device guideline; board hears state 'bell-to-bell' bills may require tighter limits

Superintendent Dr. O'Donnell told the board administrators have drafted an administrative guideline to attach to policy 237 to clarify expectations for student personal devices, aiming to reduce classroom distraction while preserving limited exceptions. The guideline would require K–6 and middle-school students to keep devices off and stored (lockers or caddies) and would pilot numbered caddies or "shoe pouches" in some high‑school classrooms. Dr. O'Donnell said details and implementation timelines will be shared with principals and staff ahead of the coming school year.

Assistant administrator Dr. Reed described enforcement and exceptions included in the guideline and noted the district received staff feedback during a spring survey: "I think we had about 200 respondents," he said. He outlined a ladder of consequences (warning, parent contact, escalating to insubordination if excessive), medical and educational exceptions, and an emergency carve‑out for explicit administrative or law‑enforcement direction. Dr. Reed added, "we do have the ability to confiscate the phone to some of our maybe public that isn't aware of that," and clarified enforcement limits: "PED. That is not performance enhancement drugs. Personal electronic devices." The board discussed logistical issues such as lockers, pouch placement, and managing returned devices.

Board members also heard a legislative update: staff reported two state measures—Senate Bill 1014 and House Bill 1814—would require stricter "bell‑to‑bell" restrictions (as described in the meeting), with the Senate bill farther along in consideration. Board members raised feasibility questions for high schools, noting a mix of building layouts and limited locker access could complicate strict bell‑to‑bell enforcement. Staff said the district will continue monitoring the bills and coordinate with neighboring districts as it finalizes any local administrative guideline.