Friday, June 12th, 2009
High school students prohibited use of mobile devices during class time
By William Kincaid
FORT RECOVERY - High school student use of mobile devices during instructional times will be prohibited next school year unless authorized by teachers, principal Dave Warvel reported on Tuesday night.
"That's the biggest change at the high school," Warvel told board members about the new mobile device policy during the regular meeting.
Before board members approved the student and parent handbooks for next school year, Warvel updated them on the new policy.
The use of communication features on cellular devices during instructional time, or in a disruptive manner in the school atmosphere is prohibited, according to the just approved policy.
However, each teacher has the right to allow the use of mobile devices, such as cellphones, laptops and iPods, during instructional time.
"We're opening Pandora's box, but just a little bit at a time," Warvel said about the new policy.
The use of cellphones in the hallway is prohibited, as it is considered a disruption of classes taking place, the policy states.
Students will be allowed to take cell phones on field trips or to field practices.
Also, according to the handbook, students are not allowed to use or possess any electronic equipment on school property or at any school sponsored event without the permission of school officials.
Examples of prohibited devices includes radios, "boom-boxes," headphones, CD/MP3 players, portable TVs, pagers, cellphones, beepers and other communication devices.
Unauthorized electronic equipment will be confiscated from the student by school personnel and disciplinary action may be taken.
If a mobile device is taken away from a student, it will be brought in the office and must be picked up by a parent.
In other news, board members did the following:
• Approved participation in the federal free and reduced lunch program for next school year.
• Approved renewal of liability insurance for eligible school booster groups effective July 1.
• Accepted a grant from Rhodes State College in the amount of $1,000 to be used for Project Lead The Way training.
• Accepted and thanked local businesses that donated a total of $845 to the FCCLA for attendance at the national conference.
• Approved the freshman girls basketball team trip to the University of Findlay for a basketball camp.
• Approved the state FFA camp trip to Carrollton.
• Accepted and thanked the Cooper Family Foundation for their donation of $4,000 for Cooper Grants for all three buildings and $5,000 for the STEM program to be shared with St. Henry and New Bremen Schools.
• Accepted the resignations of teacher Jayne Evans, FTA adviser Angelika Schade Hein and custodian Lori Link.
• Set next school year lunch prices at $2 for K-5, $2.25 for 6-12 and $3 for adult. Extra milk is 35 cents.
• Changed the July board meeting date to July 21 at 7:30 p.m.
