USE OF WIRELESS COMMUNICATION DEVICES

While the Board of Directors recognizes that the use of personal communication devices have become an integral part of everyday life. The school committee also recognizes that the use of such devices during school hours is often detrimental to the educational process. It is also important for students and parents to remember that the possession and use of such devices is a privilege, not a right, and as such is subject to regulation by the governing body of the school and its administrators.

Therefore, it is the policy of the Board of Directors, is to regulate the use of personal wireless communication devices by students while on school property and while participating in school sponsored events.

Policy specifically for Boothbay Region Elementary School, Edgecomb Eddy School and Southport Central School: These regulations are as follows: Personal wireless communication devices include, but are not limited to cell phones, pagers, PDAs, laptop computers with cellular/phone capability, two-way radios, and walkie-talkies.

I. Students are prohibited from using, activating, or displaying personal wireless communication devices on school property or at school sponsored activities during the school day, or during instructional programs that extend beyond the school day. The school day is defined as beginning when the student arrives on campus until the student leaves campus.

II. Cellular phones that have the capability to take photographs or to record audio or video shall not be used for such purposes while on school property or while a student is engaged in school sponsored activities, unless expressly authorized in advance by the building principal or designee.

III. Violations of this policy by a student will result in disciplinary action and will result in confiscation of the device. The confiscated device will not be returned until a conference has been held with a parent/guardian.

First Offense: A warning will be issued and the device will be confiscated and held to the end of the day.

Second Offense: The device will be confiscated and released only to a parent/guardian. The student will be prohibited from possessing a personal wireless communication device on school property for such period of time as the principal or designee deems reasonable. The student will serve one Saturday detention

Third Offense: The device will be confiscated and released only to a parent/guardian. The student will be prohibited from possessing a personal wireless communication device on school property for up to the remainder of the school year. The student will be suspended for up to three days.

The device will be confiscated and released only to a parent/guardian. The student will be subject to disciplinary consequences up to and including expulsion.

IV. With prior administrative approval, the school day prohibition on personal wireless communication devices shall not apply in the following two cases: a student who is an active and current member of a volunteer fire company, ambulance, or rescue squad. This will be validated by the captain of the squad. A student who has a need for such a device for immediate contact due to the medical condition of an immediate family member.

V. The school district, its administrators, faculty, and staff shall not be liable for the loss, damage or misuse of any personal wireless communication device brought on school property by a student.

High schools are by the nature of the grade span must have a different policy and procedures. The following is the Boothbay Region High School policy:

Boothbay Region High School recognizes that cell phones can serve a purpose to enhance a student’s learning and educational experience. Cell phones can also be a significant distraction for students while in the classroom. The following policy outlines the allowable functions for cell phones and the correlating restrictions.

1. Cell phone restrictions begin at the first bell of the day and end at the conclusion of the last period of the day.

2. Cell phones may be used in between courses, during locker break, and during lunch time.

3. Cell phones should not be visible during class or CORE time, they need to be stored in student’s pockets, bags, or other locations. Phones should be powered off during class time. If students do not have a way to store their phone they may leave it on their instructor’s desk.

4. If a phone is out during class the instructor will confiscate the device and turn it into the office where it will remain until the end of the day. If a student refuses then this will be considered insubordination and the student will be sent to the office.

• First Offense: A Warning from the office.

• Second Offense: Detention

• Third Offense: Friday Detention

• Subsequent Offenses: Saturday Detention

Note: A classroom teacher has the discretion to allow a student to use their phone during class time if it is for educational purposes.

Adopted: 11/5/2018