Board revamps cellphone policy
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CHARLO – The Charlo school board began review of the district’s cellphone policy last week.
The school’s handbook does not match current board policy, and neither version contains language that explains rules for recently invented technologies like tablets and other mobile devices.
“What’s happening is that it’s not just about cellphones anymore. It’s about Kindles, tablets, iPads, Google glasses,” Superintendent Thom Peck said. “There’s becoming more and more devices where you could have basically a computer on your wrist … It’s not that uncommon for a third grader to be coming to school with a Kindle.”
Peck said Charlo has a stricter cellphone policy than most other districts.
“Most districts are becoming more lenient with policy,” Peck said. “I would rather keep that strict, and one of the reasons is theft.”
There are only a handful of padlocks on lockers on school lockers, and allowing more devices could provide motivation for theft, Peck said.
Some of the problems that arise with smartphones are self-contained in the Charlo district: metal buildings prevent students and staff from having service.
Board Member Danny Krantz predicted some sort of policy will have to be put in place to accommodate the devices.
“Our school is moving more towards iPads and iPods … eventually it’s going to be that you’re on a basketball trip and your assignment is due through your iPad,” Krantz said.
Peck agreed that technology is slowly infiltrating the district. It was mandatory for the school’s standardized testing to be conducted online this year. Some courses are only offered online through a state educational service provider.
The board is expected to work more on the policy at its next May 20 meeting:
In other business the board:
• Accepted the resignation of volleyball coach Sheryl Kain.
• Reviewed handbook policies and Native American Indian Policies and Procedures.
• Heard updates of union negotiations and health insurance
purchasing.
