Schools expel cellphones

Mid-Del Schools adopt policy barring cellphones, personal electronics during school day

By Jeff Harrison
Midwest City Beacon

Mid-Del Schools recently approved a new policy for student use of cell phones and personal electronics during the school day, a move prompted by new state legislation and aimed at reducing classroom distractions.

Oklahoma Senate Bill 139 requires school districts to adopt policies that prohibit the use of cell phones and personal electronic devices during school day. The legislation, known as “Bell to Bell, No Cell,” was signed by Gov. Kevin Stitt on May 3 and went into effect July 1.

“We’re seeing classrooms across the country struggle with the influx of cellphone use by students,” Stitt said in a statement. “That’s why I issued my cellphone free school challenge in the fall. We want kids to be focused and present while they’re with their teachers, and this legislation helps promote an environment conducive to learning.”

Mid-Del Superintendent Rick Cobb said it may take a little time to adjust to the new policy but believes it can have positive outcomes.

“Once we get past some early bumps and some early resistance, the number of incidents we have per day becomes really small, and the amount of engagement in classrooms goes up,” he said. “I think there will be good outcomes for this, academically, socially and every other way.”

Mid-Del’s policy states that all personal electronic devices must be powered off and put away during the school day. Students are not allowed to use devices on school grounds during the school day, including lunch and passing periods.

The policy applies to all electronics that can connect to a smartphone, the internet or Wi-Fi including smartwatches, earbuds, and other personal devices. Students will still have access to district-issued devices for learning.

Violations of the policy will be subject to progressive discipline. First-time offenses are treated as minor mistakes, but repeated violations will lead to increasing consequences — including involving parents. School staff will not physically handle students’ phones.

Exceptions are included for administrative emergencies and medical necessities. Students who attend Mid-Del Technology Center, concurrent classes or internships are also permitted to use their devices when off campus.

Parents concerned about communication were assured that messages can still be sent — students can check phones after school, and parents can always call the school office in emergencies.
State lawmakers pushed for the cell phone bill for the past two years. Cobb said the district followed the bill through the legislative process and began developing its plan well in advance of Stitt signing it into law.

“We knew from the beginning this was going to be a priority at the state level,” Cobb said. “There was overwhelming support from both parties and chambers for some type of ban.”

Mid-Del already had a policy that banned cell phones in the classroom, but it lacked consistent enforcement and consequences. District leaders developed the new policy with guidance from the Oklahoma State School Boards Association and feedback from other districts. One of those districts – Broken Arrow – already has a policy that prohibits cell phones in the classroom. Broken Arrow High School, which has an enrollment of about 6,000 students, averages about five or six violations per day.

“That’s still five or six disruptions per day, but that’s out of a student body of 6,000 students,” Cobb said. “I think we could live with that ratio.”

The Mid-Del Board of Education unanimously approved the policy during a June 30 special meeting.

“I think this is a good thing,” said Ed Daniel, board member, during the meeting. “The kids will have them (devices) they just can’t access them during the day.”

School board president Gina Standridge said parents can still call the school in case of an emergency and stressed the importance of limiting distractions in the classroom.

“Ask most teachers, they will tell you that they (cell phones) are a big disruption,” she said.

Ultimately, Cobb believes the new rules will benefit students in the long run — not just academically, but socially and professionally.

“There are jobs where you don’t look at your phone for eight hours,” he said. “Our kids need to be ready for that reality.”

The district has begun promoting the policy through social media, its website and email communications and plans to increase outreach as enrollment events ramp up in mid-July.

“Cell phones are a huge distraction, and you can’t put all of that on classroom management, some of that is students being sneaky,” Cobb said. “Our teachers need to understand that we are going to support this policy 100%. It’s not an optional policy that schools can choose to enforce or not.”

Cobb also said coaches and school leaders are being briefed to help reinforce the message, especially for student-athletes who could risk suspension for repeated violations.

For more information on the policy, visit mid-del.net/page/personal-electronic-devices