PERSONAL COMMUNICATION DEVICES | Administrative Guideline Manual

5136 - PERSONAL COMMUNICATION DEVICES

Possession and/or use of a personal communication device (PCD) by a student while at school during the school day is a privilege that may be forfeited by any student who fails to abide by the terms of Policy 5136 or this guideline, or otherwise engages in abuse of this privilege. Strict adherence to Policy 5136 and this guideline is required.

"Personal communication device" includes computers, tablets (e.g., iPads and similar devices), electronic readers ("e-readers"; e.g., Kindles and similar devices), cell phones (e.g. mobile/cellular telephones, smartphones [e.g., BlackBerry, iPhone, Android devices, Windows Mobile devices, etc.], and/or other web-enabled devices of any type.

Unless approved by a supervising teacher, an administrator or an IEP team, students are prohibited from using PCDs or having them "On" (i.e., the device must be powered completely off and not just placed into vibrate or silent mode; a device will be considered "On" if it is ready to receive, send, capture or record any communication, visual image, sound, text message or other information). Students may use PCDs according to specific building handbooks.

The building principal has authority to make determinations as to specific locations and situations where use of a PCD is absolutely prohibited.

Students participating in extra-curricular activities and athletics must contact their coach, advisor, or sponsor for his/her rules involving the use of PCDs after school hours or on after-school bus trips. Coaches and sponsors will set their rules and enforce consequences involving the use and/or misuse of these devices.

The Board assumes no responsibility for theft, loss, or damage to, or misuse or unauthorized use of, PCDs brought onto its property. Students and parents are strongly encouraged to take appropriate precautions, if students possess PCDs at school, to make sure the devices are not left unattended or unsecured.

Using a PCD in an unauthorized manner or in violation of Policy 5136 or this guideline may result in loss of this privilege, additional disciplinary action (e.g., warnings, parental notification and conferences, suspension, expulsion), confiscation of the PCD (in which case, the device will only be released/returned to the student's parent/guardian after the student complies with any other disciplinary consequences that are imposed, unless the violation involves potentially illegal activity in which case the PCD may be turned-over to law enforcement), and/or referral to law enforcement if the violation involves an illegal activity (e.g. child pornography).

If a school teacher or administrator observes a violation of this guideline, s/he is required to confiscate the device and bring it to the building principal's office and provide the name of the student from whom the PCD was taken. Any confiscated device will be held in a secure location in the building's central office until the item is retrieved by the student's parent/guardian or turned-over to law enforcement. Students whose PCDs are confiscated may be required to contact their parents/guardians to inform them that the item was confiscated and that it will only be returned to the parents/guardians.