Changes ahead for school cell phone policy

Summerland students will notice one new change when they return to classes following the holiday break.

"From bell to bell, students will not be on cell phones," high school principal Jacob Birch told board of education members during the Dec. 11 meeting.

Students will be allowed to have phones during passing periods, lunch, before and after school and at activities.

"We're not opposed to other things, but we think this is the first step to tell students, 'Show us you can be off them during class.'"

Birch said statistics tying depression to cell phone usage are available.

"They're ... depressing," he said.

According to a Pew Research Center survey, 44% of teenagers report that not having their phone makes them feel anxious. About four in 10 teens say they spend too much time on their phones.

Birch reported the school's administrative team has looked at data regarding ways cell phones affect teens, especially when it comes to mental health. They have also looked at what other schools are doing policy-wise regarding phones.

Students have been issued warnings for violating the current policy in place.

"Now we're telling them, this is your warning. You don't have it in class," Birch said.

Superintendent Molly Aschoff said students on the failing list will check phones in at the office "all day long."

Board president Steven Thiele asked if the change will necessitate a policy update.

Current policy says teacher discretion, Aschoff said.

"The teachers all decided they're not going to have them in their class at all," the superintendent said.

Elementary principal Cathy Cooper reported she plans on implementing the policy in fifth and sixth grades also.

"Those are the level of kids we mainly see in elementary having phones. They'll give them up except for before and after school and possibly lunch," Cooper noted.

"The Nebraska Department of Education is looking at a statewide policy," Birch said.

Aschoff added that once NDE issues a policy, the district may need to adopt a new policy.

The superintendent said a no-phone policy may vary, from district to district.

"Some keep them in their lockers. We'd have to add locks since our lockers don't have them currently. Some say they can have them on their person but it can't be out," she said.

Some schools are providing magnetic pouches, which lock phones inside, until students leave school.

In communications shared with patrons on Tuesday, Dec. 17, the administrative team wrote, "Constant notifications, pressure to maintain an online presence, and exposure to curated content often contribute to unrealistic comparisons and decreased self-esteem."

The communication outlined the upcoming policy change, which states, "There will be no warnings. If a student uses or checks his or her phone during class, the first offense, the teacher will take the phone to the office, and the student will have detention. For the second offense, the student will lose the privilege of his or her phone for two weeks. They will hve to check it into the principal's office for the entire day. Any offense after this is an automatic two-week no-phone suspension again."

Early Retirement Incentive Program

The board also discussed the Early Retirement Incentive Program. Aschoff said a teacher inquired about the program. The district's current policy says in November, the board will determine the number of applications to accept. Aschoff consulted with Steve Williams, from KSB Law, to see if the it is too late. A 45-day period must be set, but an individual may waive it.

The superintendent suggested bumping the date to November in the future, to aid with the hiring process.

The ERIP offers $1,000 per years of service.

"I think we need to clarify if it's Summerland or Ewing, Clearwater or Orchard," Aschoff said.

To qualify, a teacher must be at least age 55 and been in the district 10 years. Aschoff suggested approving up to four applications for the 2024-2025 school year.

Board members agreed and unanimously passed a motion.