Now that most students have their own cellular phones, school officials across Jefferson County, like those at districts across the rest of the country, have been forced to create policies governing the use of phones and other electronic devices that can disrupt learning.
The topic arose at the Windsor C-1 Board of Education meeting in December when Windsor High School Principal Rachel Montgomery reported that a more stringent student cell phone-use policy she instituted at the start of the school year has made a positive difference.
According to the policy, Windsor High students may possess a cell phone at school, but they may not use them during class time, Windsor Superintendent Jason King said.
It is a school policy covered in the student handbook code of conduct, but not a Windsor Board of Education policy, King said.
However, even before the policy change at the high school, students could be disciplined for cell phone infractions under the general rules in the handbook, he said.
While Windsor Middle School, which enrolls students in grades six through eight, has prohibited students from using cell phones and other electronic devices during class time since the 2012-2013 school year, the high school just implemented a ban on students using them this past fall.
King said no single incident led to the rule change at Windsor High School, but Montgomery recommended it after soliciting suggestions from staff before the start of the school year.
“Based on teacher feedback, it led to (the policy change),” he said.
“The implementation of a new cell phone policy was in response to staff concerns about distractions caused by cell phones,” Montgomery said. “Although the policy was not initially welcomed by students, it has resulted in more engagement and being present in the moment. As a result, staff members have noticed a significant increase in learning engagement, student-to-student engagement and staff-to-student engagement.”
King said cell phones can distract students in a number of ways, including texting, game playing, watching videos and checking social media accounts.
“They can bring a myriad of problems,” he said.
Montgomery said that banning Windsor High students from operating cell phones during class time has encouraged them to spend more of their downtime reading instead of on their phones.
“Overall, the outcomes of this policy have been tremendous, and it is encouraging to see that students are adapting to the changes and reaping the benefits of a more focused and engaged learning environment,” she said.
King said he’s glad to see the policy is leading to more student engagement and learning.
“While cell phones are a part of everyday life, it is crucial to safeguard learning time in classrooms,” he said. “Balancing the integration of cell phones into education with the need to minimize distractions is essential for creating a conducive learning environment. We believe the policy at Windsor High School accomplishes this goal.”
Windsor’s policy is not so different from those at many of the other 11 school districts in Jefferson County.
Crystal City
Crystal City Superintendent Crystal Reiter said she is not sure when the district first implemented a student cell phone use policy, “but it has been implemented with fidelity this school year.”
The district’s policy covers the high school and junior high school levels, she said.
In the high school grades, students may not use cell phones during the school day “unless under strict supervision for educational purposes. The teacher will direct these activities.”
“If a student needs to use the phone, they are to come to the office to make the call,” the policy states.
Junior high-aged students are not permitted to use their cell phones during the school day, according to the policy.
“Phones should be locked in lockers if they are needed to be at school. If a student needs to call their parents, they are to come to the office.”
“We have had mixed results but, for the most part, students comply,” Reiter said.
De Soto
The De Soto School District does not have a specific school board policy covering cell phone use, but the matter is covered in the district’s school handbook code of conduct, Superintendent Josh Isaacson said.
The following rules apply:
■ Cell phones and other electronic devices may not be visible or in use during class time, unless approved by the teacher for instructional use.
■ Students who participate in prohibited electronics use will be expected to surrender the device to a designated, teacher-supervised space for the remainder of the period and will receive a disciplinary referral to the main office for consequences (as outlined in the handbook).
Isaacson said student cell phone use is not a big problem for the district.
“Cell phones are not an issue (for students in kindergarten through grade six) and represent less than 5 percent of disciplinary infractions at our secondary school campuses, so it is a very minor issue at the secondary, as well,” he said.
Dunklin
In the Dunklin R-5 School District, a policy covering cell phone use has been included in the district’s student handbook for more than six years, Superintendent Clint Freeman said.
“The usage of electronic devices in classrooms is allowed only under the authorization and supervision of administration or faculty. The use of cell phones is allowed during passing periods and lunch, providing they are not a distraction to the educational process. The use of electronic devices in restrooms, locker rooms, or hallways during class time is prohibited,” the policy states.
Freeman said the district has not received negative feedback about its student cell phone policy.
“At this time, we still have kids who push the envelope, but our parents and community are very supportive, as there is so much communication between school and home,” he said. “That is the key.”
Festus
“It is our goal to teach students responsible use of technology (which includes cell phones),” said Superintendent Nicki Ruess of the Festus R-6 School District.
In general, the district allows students to use cell phones under teacher approval, and when students are allowed to use cell phones, they must use them appropriately, she said.
“Having your cell phone during free time is a privilege, not a right,” Ruess said. “Using cell phones to photograph or post problems on social media, record other students or faculty or cause drama between individuals is an abuse of the cell phone privilege or policy. Using cell phones to incite a fight will be disciplined as a third party to a fight.
“All cell phones, ear phones and other electronic devices are not to be displayed, turned on or heard, or utilized in the classroom unless given permission by your teacher.”
The policy covers all grades and has been in effect for several years, Ruess said.
“Cell phone usage is an ongoing conversation,” she said. “It is a constant discussion about how to handle cell phones and other electronic devices appropriately in the school setting.”
Fox
The Fox C-6 School District bans student cell phone use during class time and other times of the day in “all grade levels” unless such use “is part of the instructional program, required by a district-sponsored class or activity, or otherwise permitted by the building principal,” according to its student handbook.
The policy prohibits students from using cell phones and other electronic devices not only during class time, but also during class change time and mealtimes, unless they have special permission to do so, according to the policy.
JP Prezzavento, a Fox district spokesman, said the student cell phone use policy was adopted during the 2022-2023 school year.
“We have seen some success with our cell phone policy,” he said. “However, the most effective classroom management technique is always engaging instruction. Fox C-6 strives to provide an engaging, relevant and rigorous learning experience to all students.”
Grandview
The student cell phone use policy for the Grandview R-2 School District covers all grades, said Jason Van Houten, the district’s communications director.
At Grandview Elementary School, “students are allowed to use their cell phones and personal electronic devices only before and after school, unless permission is received from their individual teacher.”
The policy for Grandview Middle School says student are prohibited from using cell phones in the classroom, and the phones should be “powered off and kept out of sight during school hours.”
At Grandview High School, students are not allowed to use cell phones or personal electronic devices during instructional time, from “bell to bell.”
“Our policies have been in place for several years with tweaks and changes as needed every year,” Van Houten said. “The policies in the elementary and middle school have been extremely effective. The high school can sometimes be more challenging.”
Hillsboro
Hillsboro R-3 Superintendent Jon Isaacson said the school district has a Board of Education policy on student cell phone use that dates back to 2009 but has been revised since then.
According to the policy, “Using, displaying, or turning on pagers, phones, personal digital assistants, personal laptops, MP3 players or any other personal electronic devices during the regular school day, including class change time, instructional class time, unless the use is part of the instructional program, required by a district-sponsored class or activity, or otherwise permitted by the building principal. The district is not responsible for any lost, broken or stolen electronic devices. Exceptions or waivers to this restriction may be made at the discretion of the building administration.”
At the Primary School, student cell phone use is banned and cell phones must be turned off during the instructional day. At the Intermediate School, student cell phone use is banned during the regular school day for noneducational purposes and allowed only for educational purposes as determined by the teacher. At the junior high, student use of cell phones during the regular school is prohibited.
At Hillsboro High School, student cell phone use is allowed only under the authorization and supervision of administration and faculty.
“No disciplinary incidents have been reported for grades kindergarten through six,” Isaacson said. “In the Junior High, incidents involving electronic devices constitute a mere 0.93 percent of all discipline cases. At the high school level, electronic devices account for 4.17 percent of disciplinary incidents.
“Based on the data, it is not a significant issue.”
Jefferson R-7
David Haug, superintendent for the Jefferson R-7 School District, leaves student cell phone use decisions up to teachers and principals.
“We allow each building to have the autonomy to review cell phone use in the classroom,” Haug said. “Each teacher establishes their own classroom use plan, and if the student refuses to cooperate, it is categorized as disrespectful conduct, and the principal will address the issue.”
Northwest
The Northwest R-1 School District has had a policy governing student cell phone use for several years, said Doréan Dow, the district’s assistant superintendent of secondary schools. The policy includes the following points:
■ Elementary school-aged students who possess cell phones must keep them in their backpacks throughout the school day.
■ Middle school-aged students may only use cell phones during noninstructional times, such as before or after school or during lunch.
■ High school teachers decide whether students may use cell phones in class based on the day’s plan.
“Students who misuse their electronic devices can be subjected to confiscation escalating to after-school detention or suspension for repeat offenses,” Dow said. “Other policies might come into play based on how the phone is used. For example, cyberbullying and inappropriate use are addressed in other areas of our code of conduct.”
Dow said district officials believe it is important “to balance our current culture’s reliance on these devices while also maintaining the integrity of our educational environment.”
“We believe it’s important to teach them appropriate and respectful use and address any issues that might arise from individual students,” she said. “If it becomes a distraction to learning, like with any other possible distraction, we address it with that student.”
Sunrise
The Sunrise R-9 School District, which enrolls students in kindergarten through eighth grade, bans its students from even displaying cell phones during school hours, let alone using them, Principal Angelina Rowden said.
If a staff member “sees a personal device, the device will be confiscated and given to the administration,” according to the district’s student handbook.
“These policies have been in place at least 10 years,” Rowden said. “Over the years, we have edited and added language.”
She said she believes the policy has been effective.
“The majority of parents and students understand and follow the school handbook,” Rowden said.