Hillsborough: Cell phones out of sight or else

When it comes to cell phones, get ready for signs in Hillsborough schools making the rules crystal clear. "It's a pretty simple slogan: If we see it, we take it," School Board member Carol Kurdell said.

Her comment wrapped up today's workshop discussion on out-of-control cell abuse by students. The district has a policy that phones must be off during the school day. But many are openly violating it.

When school begins in August, administrators are going to crack down. Cell phones visible on students during the instructional day -- including at lunch and between classes -- will be confiscated. They would be returned at the end of the day. Since the bus is an extension of the classroom, officials said cell phones can't be out on the ride home, either.

Some details remain to be worked out, such as how to regulate cell phones on the school bus. But principals and school officials enthusiastically endorsed the out-of-sight-or-else procedure. The practice still must be finalized by the Board with a vote.

Comments

[Danielle]

Bravo, Fed Up Reading Teacher,Bravo. We are not equals with the students.

[Fed Up Reading Teacher]

Danny:

Why is it students feel they are entitled to have the same rights as teachers.... who, by the way, are college-educated adults? I've seen that same argument for uniforms: if students wear then teachers should wear them too! It is ridiculous. It's called being an adult and having the rights and privileges that go along with that. When you become an adult, you will get those same "perks." This "equal" mentality has to go. Get over yourself. Students and teacher are not equals in terms of privileges.

[Danny]

I graduated from high school last year. The rules on cell phones are no different except that they could be used after school. But my teachers almost never confiscated cell phones that went off. In addition, I've seen teachers standing outside talking on their cell phones too, so perhaps there should be a cell phone rule for teachers too.

[apracticalteacher]

If a compromise was made that allowed the students to use their phones during lunch and on the buses, then they might be more receptive to the idea of giving up their phones during class time -- which is the other part of what I would propose. Have the students turn in their phones upon arrival in class to a spot where the teacher has total control of them and then return them at the end of class to be carried right to the next class where the same thing would happen. Do I think this will solve the problem completely -- of course not! I'm not an idiot. Someone will always try to break the rules, but this way, if a student refuses to comply, the teacher can refer the student for insubordination and won't have to spend so much time looking around for violators. Consistency is the key -- every teacher must do the same thing every class -- for this or any rule to be successful. A secure place for the phones is required and it must be done from the very first day students come to school. I know lots of you will find faults with this plan, but I still think it is doable within the parameters I have outlined. Giving the kids some leeway during lunch and bus time may help to prevent the frustration and rebellion that will come from the rigidity of the proposed new policy.

[Timmy!]

You can see that the Freedom principal is already setting the stage for not enforcing the policy. He's prepping the Board for why he'll back away.

The Board looks at suspension stats. When a kid refuses to give up the phone it triggers a series of events that often results in a suspension. Principals are then called on the carpet due to high suspensions rates.

So the Board policies undermine the very thing they are trying to address! Add mommies and daddies to the mix and administrators are ducking like the clown at the state fair dunk-tank.

Any wonder why the schools are in the shape they are?

[Ann E. Mouse]

Tell the Chairwoman not to text her own daughter at school and maybe this will have some credibility.

[Timmy!]

Unless the board ACTIVELY and PUBLICLY support their policy, this will not work.

Those given the task of enforcing the policy will spend an inordinate amount of time on it. Then, of course, the parents will whine, taking up more time.

The administration will weaken under this additional burden and by December the policy will be useless.

If the board had any guts they would install cell phone jammers on every campus with a switch that would permit them in case of emergency. The cost of approx $3K a campus would save them money in the long run.

What a bunch of bozos.