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Policy committee sends amended personal device rule to board for first reading
Summary
The Policy Committee advanced a revised personal device policy to the school board for first reading with an amendment to clarify procedures across elementary schools and broaden the prohibition language beyond "cell phones." The committee emphasized administrative flexibility and operational concerns about policing wearables.
The Policy Committee of the Portsmouth School Board voted to send an amended personal device policy to the full board for first reading, aiming for administrators to implement a version for the start of the school year. Chair (S2) told the committee that "it would go to the board tonight, 1st read" and that the committee would introduce a short amendment to add a separate one-line paragraph clarifying restrictions apply to personal devices beyond cell phones.
Committee members pressed for consistent procedures across school levels but also asked for flexibility so elementary, middle and high schools can tailor enforcement. Committee member (S3) raised operational concerns about policing smartwatches and whether staff would be expected to search or monitor wristwear; Staff member (S1) said principals had reviewed the language and that the policy would state elementary practices will be "off and away" while middle and high schools will rely more on student responsibility. The committee agreed to add language that procedures "will be common" across elementary schools and to introduce that amendment at the board meeting tonight. The committee did not take a formal final adoption vote in this meeting; the policy will return for a second reading if the board advances it.
