Procedure – Student Use of Personal Electronic Devices
To implement Policy 3245 by providing clear, consistent expectations and procedures for student use of personal electronic devices, including cell phones, earbuds and similar technology.
General Rules:
- Personal electronic devices are not permitted during instructional time.
- Prior to instructional time, students must silence personal
electronic devices and keep them out of sight. Devices may be stored in a
backpack, purse, pocket, locker, or another location where they are not visible or accessible during instruction. - Devices seen or heard during instructional time are considered violations.
- Students who leave class for the restroom, office, or other school business are expected to leave their personal electronic devices
stored as required during instructional time. Personal electronic device use is prohibited in bathrooms and other designated device-free zones. Staff will address violations that are observed or reported through the district’s student discipline procedures. - Devices may be used in hallways, cafeteria, and other common spaces during lunch, passing time, and before or after school.
- All staff are responsible for consistent modeling and enforcement of this
procedure. - Smart watches may be worn during the school day; however, during instructional time they may only be used as timepieces. Students may not use smart watches to send or receive messages, access applications, browse the internet, record audio or video, or otherwise interact with
the device beyond checking the time. Visible interaction with a smart watch during instructional time will be treated the same as use of any other personal electronic device. - Recording video or audio with a personal electronic device is not permitted unless for educational or health-related accommodation.
Exceptions:
Students may use devices when authorized for: translation or communication needs, health-related accommodations, IEP, 504 or health care plans. With administrator approval teachers may give permission for students to use personal electronic devices during class for instructional or educational use. The purpose of this exception is to provide equitable access to learning and to allow use of devices when it enhances learning opportunities and is incorporated into classroom instructional plans.
Confiscation Procedure:
The district recognizes that not every violation can be observed in real time. Consistent with other student conduct expectations, this policy will be enforced when violations are observed by staff or reasonably reported and verified.
1. If a staff member sees or hears a personal electronic device in a classroom it will be confiscated and held for the remainder of that class period by that teacher. When a device is confiscated the student will be asked to turn off the device.
2. If a student’s personal device is to be confiscated a second time in the same
class period in an academic semester, the device will be turned in to the office by the staff member to be held for the remainder of that day.
3. The first and second times a personal electronic device is turned in at the office by a staff member, the parent will be notified by office staff and the device will be returned to the student at the end of the day.
4. The third time and successive times a personal electronic device is turned in at the office by a staff member, the parent will be notified by an administrator and a plan will be developed for return of the device and to prevent future incidents.
5. The count will reset at the semester change.
Definitions:
1. Sexting means sending, forwarding, displaying, retaining, storing, or posting sexually explicit, lewd, indecent or pornographic photographs, images, or messages by or on a cell phone, computer, or other electronic means during school hours or school activities on or off campus; while on school district property, during any recess, lunch, or leave periods on or off school district property; or beyond the hours of school operation if the behavior detrimentally affects the personal safety or well-being of school-related individuals, the governance, climate, or efficient operation of the school; or the educational process or experience.
2. Disrupting the Learning Environment means any intentional gesture, any
intentional electronic communication or any intentional written, verbal or physical act or statement initiated, occurring, transmitted or received by a student at school that a reasonable person under the circumstance should know will have the effect of:
1. Insulting, mocking, or demeaning a student or group of students causing
substantial disruption in, or substantial interference with, the orderly
operation of the school; or
2. Creating an intimidating, threatening, hostile or abusive educational
environment for a student or group of students through substantially
severe, persistent, or pervasive behavior.
3. Third parties include, but are not limited to, coaches, school volunteers, parents or guardians, school visitors, service contractors, or others engaged in district business or activities that are not directly subject to District control at inter-district and intra-district athletic competitions or other school events.
Reporting Violations:
Any student, employee, parent or guardian, or third party who has knowledge of conduct in violation of this policy or any student who feels they have been a victim of sexting, menacing, retaliation or reprisal in violation of this policy will immediately report the concerns to:
1. The building principal or their designee;
2. A teacher who will be responsible for notifying the building principal or designee immediately if the matter cannot be adequately addressed by the teacher, or warrants administrative intervention;
3. A counselor, who is responsible for notifying the building principal or designee immediately if the matter cannot be addressed by the counselor or is sufficiently serious to warrant administrative intervention; or
4. The superintendent of schools or designee.
Investigating:
The principal or designee will be responsible for timely investigating a complaint made under this policy. The investigation, witness statements, and evidence will be documented along with the outcome of the investigation.
In the course of the investigation, administrative staff will not send, receive, or unnecessarily view or transmit sexting photographs or any other inappropriate images on either the district’s or their personal electronic devices. The examination or viewing of the evidence/information will be limited to the extent necessary to determine that misconduct occurred. District staff will not search student phones or electronic devices for evidence of alleged sexting.
Parent or Guardian Notification
Parents or guardians of all students identified in the report will be notified of the investigation and informed of their students’ involvement in the incident.
Discipline:
A school district may administer discipline for students whose behavior violates this policy. Law enforcement may also be notified when conduct may violate criminal laws.
The district will make reasonable attempts to assist students and/or parents or guardians to resolve concerns and issues prior to the use of the formal criminal complaint process. Assistance may include consultation, counseling, education, mediation, and/or other opportunities for problem-solving.
When administering discipline, the administrator will take into consideration the context of the events, all relevant circumstances, and the parties’ prior behavior, the nature of the behavior and its potential harm and the emotional and/or physical harm resulting from the reported party’s actions.
Sexting Offenses:
First offense:
1. Parents or guardians will be notified;
2. Police may be notified;
3. The student’s phone or electronic device will be confiscated and returned only to a parent or guardian; and only when it is determined that law enforcement has completed their investigation;
4. The district may administer appropriate interventions and may take other actions as appropriate.
Second offense:
1. Parents or guardians will be notified;
2. Police may be notified;
3. The student’s phone or electronic device will be confiscated and returned only to a parent or guardian, and only when it is determined that law enforcement has completed their investigation;
4. The district may administer appropriate interventions and may take other actions as appropriate.
Third offense:
1. Parents or guardians will be notified;
2. Police may be notified;
3. The student’s phone or electronic device will be confiscated and returned only to a parent or guardian, and only when it is determined that law enforcement has completed their investigations;
4. The student may be ineligible to participate in extracurricular activities; and
5. The district may impose appropriate interventions and may take other
actions as appropriate.
Adoption Date: 6/10
Revised Dates: 06/10; 12/11; 10/19; 7/29/26