Brick School Board Introduces Ban on Cell Phone Use In Schools, On Buses

Brick Township High School. (Photo: Shorebeat)

Brick school officials this week introduced a policy on first reading that would largely ban the use of mobile phones in school and on school buses – a policy that was described as “progressive” by one top officials, and in line with the trends of state policies.

Under the policy, students “are prohibited from using an electronic communication device anywhere on school grounds during the school day,” including before and after school programs, during any co-curricular activities; and on school buses. The policy also places prohibitions on recording activities in school in any location where there is an “expectation of privacy,” such as a restroom, locker room, shower area, or any other area where any person is removing or changing clothes.

Students are “encouraged not to bring electronic communication devices to school,” but may still choose to do so with restrictions. If a student chooses to bring a device to school, the policy calls for it to be turned off by the student and passcode protected to prevent any unauthorized use of the device. The electronic communication device “shall remain in the student’s backpack/book bag or locker during the school day when its use is not authorized.”

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The policy is being introduced over disruptions to the learning environment, the potential for cheating, as well as privacy concerns.

“We spent a year examining what we should be doing where students are concerned,” said Susan McNamara, Director of Planning, Research & Evaluation for the district. “It is a very progressive-type policy. We recognize that in some circumstances in certain areas, like an administrator at a high school level, may enable students to use devices for learning, but that will be on a very limited basis.”

The policy statement that accompanied the new regulations said that the school board “believes students and/or school staff members should not be subject to having a video or audio recording taken of any students or school staff members for any purpose without the consent of the student, the student’s parent, and/or the school staff member.

“In addition to protecting the privacy rights of students and school staff members, the board recognizes such recordings can be disruptive to the educational program,” the policy continued. “In addition, inappropriate recordings of educational material, student assessment instruments, and/or student assessment reviews can be used to compromise the integrity of the district’s educational program or lead to academic dishonesty in the event such recordings are stored and/or transmitted to other students.”

McNamara said the policy was the culmination of a year of research, which included a review of state regulations on mobile devices in schools as well as literature including the book, “The Anxious Generation.”

“For the most part, yes, we do not want to see phones out and being used on buses, in classrooms and in hallways,” said McNamara. “We want students’ full and undivided attention, and we want to get them back face-to-face with folks, learning how to communicate, developing relationships, and learning.”

Mobile phone. (Credit: Hanna Vaknin/ Flickr)

Though there was no pushback on the policy during a public comment period at the board meeting, some parents have raised concerns on social media with regard to students’ access to communications during emergencies, or for the sake of coordinating with family members. McNamara said those issues were taken into account when the policy was being developed.

“That policy has all of that in there, but it also has the flexibility for each administrator, in their learning community, to use their guidance and their judgment in making sure students continue to be safe and that cell phones are only used when necessary,” she said.

Resident Vic Fanelli was the sole member of the public to comment after the policy was introduced: “All I can say is, ‘it’s about time,'” he said.

The policy is subject to a second reading and second vote before being formally adopted. Adoption generally occurs at the following month’s board meeting.

The policy and regulations can be read below: