Shawnee Mission Schools approve cell phone policy

OVERLAND PARK, Kan. (KCTV) - In a 6-1 decision, the Shawnee Mission School District Board of Education voted to change the district’s personal electronic device policy. It will take effect Feb. 3.

“Our teachers have been asking for a policy for a while,” said Dr. Michael Schumacher, the SMSD Superintendent. “We feel like this is going to give them the teeth to enforce this universally. We accept the fact that no matter what we adopt as a policy, there is going to be some growing pains for a while. Whether it’s in January or in August, there is going to be a time in which it is difficult for those boots on the ground. We are going to be learning as we go, but we are committed from the district office on down to ing our staff and our kids.”

After months of discussion and getting from the community, it was decided that the device rules would differ for each grade level.

“Our kids are different at different age groups,” said David A. Smith, the district’s Chief Communications Officer. “Their needs are different, their developmental stage is different, and the team felt it was appropriate that they pay attention to that and have regulations that track with the different ages and their developmental stages.”

For elementary students, the new policy states personal electronic devices should stay in backpacks or personal storage bins during the school day. If a backpack or bag is not available, devices should be left at home. All devices brought to school need to be silenced or set to “school” or “do not disturb” mode.

For middle school students, personal electronic devices must be stored in the student’s locker or a spot designated by school istration during the school day. Students can access their devices at their lockers during the ing period. All devices should be placed on silent or “do not disturb” mode during school hours. Headphones and earbuds can only be used with school devices and with teachers approval to learning.

For high school students, personal electronic devices, other than smart watches, should be silenced and stored during class. Teachers may provide a secure storage option in their classroom. Devices can be used between classes and at lunch, but must be silenced and put away during class time unless used for learning with a teacher’s approval.

In the Superintendent’s report during the Board of Education meeting, the new personal electronic device policy follows the district’s Level 1 Disciplinary Action Chart. First offenses call for an informal talk by a staff member and a parent or guardian may be ed, with discipline escalating upon repeat offenses.

In Monday’s Board of Education meeting, principals at Brookridge Elementary, Trailridge Middle School, and Shawnee Mission East High School all spoke on how rules similar to this policy have already been implemented at their schools.

“Much of what’s in this policy has been our practice,” said Smith. “So, we don’t expect it to be that much different. We are going to spend the next three weeks making sure we get the word out and making sure our teachers and students understand it and then we will implement it.”

Smith says the Superintendent will be bringing back data at the end of the year to look at the roll out of the new policy and how the policy is working. He says this policy will be part of an ongoing conversation on how to address personal electronic device use at district school.

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