Gardner Edgerton School District to implement new cell phone policy

GARDNER, Kan. (KCTV) - Students attending a high school or middle school in the Gardner Edgerton School District will have a new cell phone and smart watch policy to get used to starting next school year.

It’s a change members of the school board have discussed for months.

The district decided a policy focused on cell phones was needed to minimize classroom distractions, improve student safety, and create conducive learning environment, according to a draft of the policy.

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The board tentatively approved a policy that bans the use of cell phones, smart watches, and headphones in classrooms and during instructional activities. Each student with a phone will be required to place the device in a designated area before each class begins. Any student who does not follow the policy will be punished, according to the board.

“At any time when student use of personal electronic devices is in conflict with a staff directive; results in a substantive disruption to any educational environment/setting; causes personal harm or embarrassment; and/or that promotes academic dishonesty the student will be subject to disciplinary action ...”

The policy will be slightly different for high school students and students attending middle schools in the district.

HIGH SCHOOL

• Zero-tolerance policy during Blocks 1, 2, 3, 5 and Seminar
• Cell phones are allowed before and after school, passing periods, and lunch
• Device(s) must be turned in at beginning of each block
• Device(s) do not leave the classroom during each block, even if a student does

CONSEQUENCES

• First Offense
  • Warning
  • Parents notified
  • Offense documented and shared with other teachers
• Second Offense
  • Administrator notified
  • Finals Opt-Out privilege for all classes lost for current semester
• Third Offense
  • Administrator notified
  • 2 day in-school suspension
• Fourth Offense
  • Administrator notified
  • 2 day out-of-school suspension
• Fifth Offense
  • Administrator notified
  • 3 day out-of-school suspension
  • All on-campus cell phone privileges revoked

MIDDLE SCHOOL

• Students required to keep phones in lockers during school hours
• Phones used without permission will be confiscated

CONSEQUENCES

• First Offense
  • Teacher keeps cell phone and calls parent/guardian
  • Phone returned to student at end of day
• Second Offense
  • Teacher keeps cell phone and calls parent/guardian
  • Phone picked up in front office at end of day
• Third Offense
  • Administration calls parent/guardian
  • Parent/guardian must pick up cell phone in the front office at end of day
• Fourth Offense
  • Student turns in cell phone to office staff
  • Students pick up cell phone in front office at end of day

While the board approved the policy, members still need to finalize procedures. That will happen during meetings over the summer. The final version is expected to be approved during the July school board meeting.

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The school board said the Blue Valley, De Soto, Olathe, Shawnee Mission, and Spring Hill School Districts all have some kind of cell phone policy in place.

The draft of the new policy is available online through the school board’s website.