Cell Phone / Wireless Communications Device Policy

CELL PHONE / WIRELESS COMMUNICATION DEVICES (WCDs)

Referred to as “device” includes but is not limited to a privately/owned laptop, tablet computing device, net book, notebook, e-Reader, iPod touch, smart watch, gps tracker with recording and/or transmitting capability, and/or smart phone. However, such devices can only be used with permission and under the direct supervision of a staff member. When permission is not given, such devices must be turned off and put away during the school day or on the bus. Smart watches may be on the wrist in sight, but shall not be utilized for recording or transmitting without permission. The student is fully responsible, at all times, for the personally owned device brought to school. The District is NOT liable for any loss, damage or theft of a personally owned device. As such, students should not share devices. Device use is exclusively limited to schools participating in the Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) program. Devices should be turned off and should not be visible at schools not participating in the BYOD program. 

Devices may only be used in certain approved areas of the school. Students may not use devices in parts of the school designated as No Technology Zones or any other areas where devices are not permitted. 
Ear Bud/Headphones will only be permitted in labs or lab type settings on a school campus with the approval of administration or classroom teacher.
Refusal to turn over a device including a cell phone’s sim card and battery when directed is considered Gross Insubordination. 

•    First Offense – School personnel may use their discretion to direct the student to turn off the device and put it away. This discretion is permitted for the purpose of limiting interruptions of classroom instructional time. Administration must instruct teachers on how to notify them for first offenses. Teachers must follow the procedures set by administration. 

•    Second Offense – The device will be confiscated by school personnel, labeled and turned into administration. A conference will be held between the student and an administrator. The administrator has the option of administering a “Discipline Referral.” Parent notification/contact will be made. The device will be returned to the student at the end of the day. 

•    Third Offense – The device will be confiscated by the school personnel, labeled and turned into administration. A Discipline Referral must be written and should also include “Gross Insubordination” [GI] as an additional infraction to the [CF] code. Parent conference must be held to return device and discuss future incidents which may lead to banning the device. 

Any additional offenses will result in the device being confiscated and student will be prohibited from carrying a device during the school day. Parent conference must be held and device returned to parent. 
Taking pictures of school staff or students without their permission is prohibited. WCDs may not be used for illegal purposes, nor used for transmitting, retrieving, or storing any communications of an obscene, discriminatory, harassing nature, or for any other purpose that is against school board policy. 

Personal Search Students and their possessions may be searched by school administration with or without the student’s permission, if school administration has reasonable suspicion that the safety and well-being of that student or other people in the school are in jeopardy, or if the student is suspected to be in possession 5 of prohibited items. If illegal items are located by school administration, these items will be turned over to law enforcement for investigation. 

Cell Phones/Wireless Communication Devices (WCD) School administration may search a cell phone or other wireless communication devices if they have reasonable suspicion that such a device has been used in violation of the Student Code of Conduct. 

NOTE: The taking, transferring, or other sharing of nude, obscene, pornographic, or otherwise illegal images or photographs, whether by electronic data transfer or otherwise (commonly called texting, sexting, e-mailing, picture mail, etc.) may constitute a crime under state and/or federal law. Any person taking, transferring, or other sharing of nude, obscene, pornographic, or otherwise illegal images or photographs will be reported to law enforcement and/or other appropriate state or federal agencies, which may result in arrest and prosecution.