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Board told cell‑phone locker mandate could cost district about $150,000
Summary
During the budget presentation, the finance presenter said a recent cell‑phone policy requiring lockers at secondary schools would cost the district about $150,000 and that the expense was not funded, potentially diverting money from other needs.
During the budget presentation, the finance presenter flagged a recent legislative or policy-driven cell‑phone requirement as an unfunded mandate that would require purchase of lockers for secondary schools.
"To buy lockers, that cost the district about a $150,000 to buy lockers for our secondary schools to lock up cell phones," the presenter said, adding that the expense was not funded by the policy and would require the district to find the money elsewhere.
Board members responded that such unfunded mandates can pull funds away from direct student supports and capital maintenance: Board President noted that when a $150,000 expense arises "that money isn't going directly to students anymore," referencing the trade-offs with parking-lot repairs or HVAC units.
Why it matters: an unfunded locker mandate would require local reallocation of existing funds and could affect maintenance, capital outlay or instructional spending if the district does not receive external funding to cover the cost.
