Issue link: https://newsleader.uberflip.com/i/90018
Sarasota News Leader October 26, 2012 Prior to the Oct. 16 School Board meeting, the district policy regarding cellphone use was simple, as follows: "Personal telephones or other communication devices may not be used during school hours. If personal telephones ring, vibrate, or are used during the school day, telephones will be subject to confiscation .…" You still cannot have your friends or a parent ring you up in the middle of an algebra lesson to remind you about your violin lesson or your forgotten lunch, but things have changed. According to the amended District Code of Student Conduct and Individual School Stu- dent Handbooks: "A student may possess elec- tronic devices (e.g. cellular telephones, smart phones, personal digital assistant (PDA's), lap- tops, and other devices designed to receive and send an electronic signal or store digital data) in school on school property, at after school activities and at school-related func- tions, provided that during the student day the electronic devices remain powered off and concealed from view." Teachers can allow students to use any of those devices within the realm of "education- Page 50 al or instructional purpose," but the teacher must give permission and provide supervision. Some teachers are uncomfortable with the use of these devices in the class; others wel- come the activity, according to School Board discussion. The board is leaving the matter to the individual teacher. The policy change also makes plain that usage of these gadgets is a privilege, not a right, and it can be rescinded. Additionally, the School Board also has made it clear it is not respon- sible for a phone that gets stolen or damaged. With the new provision, though, comes anoth- er one in the District Code of Student Con- duct: "STUDENTS MAY NOT POSSESS ANY ELEC- TRONIC OR RECORDING DEVICE(S) AT THEIR DESK, CLIPPED TO THEIR BELT, IN THEIR POCKET, OR ANYWHERE WITHIN REACH DURING TESTING, EVEN IF THE DEVICE IS TURNED OFF OR THE STUDENT IS NOT USING IT. IF A STUDENT IS FOUND TO BE IN POSSESSION OF ANY ELECTRON- IC DEVICE DURING TESTING, HIS OR HER TEST MUST BE INVALIDATED."