How & When: Cell Phone Ban Policy

Excuse me while I digress from the Oh, Cell No! Four Part Series to explain the making of a school board policy. Most of this applies to the adoption of any school board policy. However, this will fall in line with HOW and WHEN schools will make policy following Oklahoma’s new cell phone ban law…

A school policy is adopted by the local school board. The school board is made up of members elected by those who live within certain defined boundaries. They represent the community (i.e. you) in setting high-level priorities and goals for the schools it serves.

The school board itself has authority to adopt a policy only in a legally called board meeting with notice and an agenda posted according to state law. The meeting agenda must list the policy for it to be considered, discussed, and for action to be taken upon it. The superintendent and board president generally prepare the board meeting agenda together. 

Before the board meeting when a school board will consider a policy, the superintendent will consider what is required, who is involved, and how it impacts the school and learning environment for all involved. The leadership team will spend hours and hours vetting each potential scenario and how to support its educators and administrators who will be charged with implementation with students, parents, and guardians in mind. 

Meanwhile, the school board members will do their own thinking and research. They will be likely approached by patrons and parents and other community members about concerns or excitement, questions and doubts. 

Since this policy is required to be in place before school starts, the school boards will be including this on their upcoming meeting agendas for a vote really soon! The agendas will be on the school district’s website. You can also find your elected school board members listed on the same website.

At the school board meeting, the board will systematically go through its agenda – section by section and item by item. It will consider public comments, if on the agenda. The board will discuss and vote as it goes through the items. The board members vote individually and cast their votes publicly. If a majority of the board members vote in approval of an item on the agenda, it successfully passes. It can also “table” or not address an item on the agenda. This usually means more work is needed before the board is ready to discuss and take action or vote.

As it relates to this policy on student cell phones and personal electronic devices, your local school board agenda will include this soon. It is expected the requirements will be discussed, board members will vote, and a legally compliant policy will be adopted for the school year – before August.

Considerations on a proposed policy

Here is likely what is being discussed and considered by your district’s superintendent and leadership team right now:

• Which grade levels of students are already bringing devices from home to school?
• How are student devices being used to further educational progress?
• In what ways are student devices a distraction in the classroom?
• How will teachers and administrators play a role in implementing this new law and policy?
• Are there situations in which students may need or want their phones to memorialize school events? Yearbook classes? Pep assemblies? Awards ceremonies?
  • Or will we see a major comeback for PartyPics?
• What are true emergencies when the use of a student device will maintain safety and security? How is it initiated and ended?
• Will exceptions be decided on a case-by-case basis? 
• Or will exceptions have a blanket description of when they generally apply?