By ALICIA FEYERHERM
Tiger Media Network
Image Courtesy Pixabay
USD 489 Board of Education discussed student cell phone usage at Monday’s board meeting.
Board Member Ruth Ruder said she requested this discussion. Cell phones must be kept in lockers at the middle school level, but at the high school level, there are no phone restrictions outside of rules specific teachers may implement.
Ruder says phones can be a distraction and would like input from teachers, students and counselors on the impact of cell phones in the classroom. Ruder also mentioned cyberbullying that can occur using cell phones.
“I just think it’s something we need to look at as a district to protect the kids from every aspect we can,” Ruder said.
Board Member Jayme Goetz taught at Hays High School for several years and had phone holders. Students were required to put their cell phones in before class. Each student was assigned a cubby number and she took attendance based on the phones in the holders. Even with these measures, Goetz said students found ways to circumvent the holder, whether it be bringing a fake phone to put in the holder or claiming they were grounded and did not have their phone with them that day.
“I do think it’s a problem, but it’s a home problem as well,” Goetz said. “It’s a big problem.”
Board Member Curt Vajnar also taught at Hays High and said he would have students leave their cell phones with him if they wanted to go to the bathroom.
“That curbed the bathroom-going to less than half because the reason they were going to the bathroom was to make the calls,” Vajnar said.
Board Member Derek Yarmer spoke to a Great Bend school board member. When Great Bend implemented stricter cell phone rules, there was initially some pushback, but it was beneficial once students settled into the new routine.
“It can be done,” Yarmer said.
Goetz also noted that cell phones can be used positively in the classroom and teachers occasionally incorporate them into their lessons.
Hays High Principal Shawn Henderson said during freshman orientation this year, he discussed the complexity of the cell phone issue.
“It’s an issue that’s facing everyone, everywhere,” Henderson said. “States are trying to get involved. School districts are having this conversation and I just welcome the conversation. I think it’s great.”
At the high school, there are green zones and red zones indicating whether phone use is allowed and teachers can choose what zone their classroom will be and change it at any time.
From a bullying standpoint, cell phones introduce a whole other set of issues as well. Students can’t just physically distance themselves from bullies. They can be connected 24/7 through the use of cell phones.
Henderson said there are many different stakeholders in this discussion, including parents and that all parties should be involved in those discussions.
“I feel for all of us,” Henderson said. “This is challenging and we need to do this together.”
Superintendent Ron Wilson said the State Board of Education has put together a task force to investigate the cell phone usage issue and will be putting out recommended policies by November.
Wilson recommended waiting to pursue the issue further until those recommendations became available.
“Let’s see what those recommendations are,” Wilson said. “Then we can have good conversations based on what is being recommended.”
Other items from Monday’s meeting included:
- Approval of Student Handbooks
- Review of Capital Outlay
- Approval of a bid from Network Computer Solution with using District E-Rate Funding for equipment for $67,629.
- Custodial restructuring
- Board Member committee appointments
The next board meeting will be at 6:30 p.m. on September 9 in the Toepfer Board Room.