CELL PHONES AND PERSONAL ELECTRONIC DEVICES (School Board Policy 237)
The Board recognizes that mobile phones and electronic devices are now an integral part of the daily lives and culture of many of the District’s students. Nonetheless, the Board believes that students should have an educational environment free from unnecessary disruptions and distractions. The Board has determined that the presence of mobile phones and electronic devices has the potential to distract students from their educational mission and to otherwise disrupt the educational environment.
Electronic devices shall include all devices that can take photographs; record, play or edit audio or video data; store, transmit or receive calls, messages, text, data or images; operate online applications; or provide a wireless, unfiltered connection to the Internet.
In our elementary schools, students are prohibited from using any electronic device during the school day. Any electronic device, including cell phones and smartwatches, possessed by any student in school buildings or on district property must remain powered off and always kept out of sight during the school day except as follows below.
Nothing in this policy shall affect the ability of the building administrator or another staff member to grant approval for the use of an electronic device by a student. Students must obtain prior permission from the building administrator or staff member to utilize the electronic device during the school day. Usage may include, but is not limited to, instructional purposes, student’s urgent health or safety needs, or in the event of an emergency. Nothing in this policy shall affect the provision or use of an electronic device as stated in an Individualized Education Program or Section 504 Service Agreement.
If a student does not follow this expectation, building administrators and staff members may confiscate a student’s electronic devices. All confiscated electronic devices shall be delivered promptly to the building administrator’s office. Confiscated devices shall be returned to the student at the end of the school day for a first offense, and only to a parent or guardian for a second or subsequent offense.
