Some Southlake Carroll parents want tougher rules on cell phone use in the classroom
Southalke Carroll school officials want to hear from parents, teachers and residents as they recommend stricter enforcement of the student cell phone policy as the district returns to normal amid declining COVID cases.
Gordon Butler, assistant superintendent of staff and student services, said the district’s Student Health Advisory Council is recommending consistent enforcement of cell phone use, and told school board members during a special meeting Monday night that the committee wants guidance on consistent enforcement that will take effect when the new school year begins.
Before Butler gave his presentation, three parents told trustees that cell phone use is out of hand, and that kids need to get back to “quality” learning.
Christine Johnson said she is concerned about students using their cell phones to cheat, and she does not want to see students distracted in the classroom.
“I think we need to get back to real learning where teachers teach and YouTube and Tiktok are weekend entertainment,” she said.
Johnson said principals need to give teachers support in enforcing cell phone use.
“I as a parent would love to bring back more classical learning with textbooks and bring back that pen and paper,” Johnson said.
Butler said the Carroll school district is not anti-technology. The cell phone policy has not been enforced consistently, and it’s time to revisit that and to get recommendations for the next steps. There are other devices students may use in the classroom.
“We don’t want to have a distraction to student learning,” Butler said. “Even as adults, you have that digital pacifier right there that you check frequently.”
Carroll’s policy doesn’t allow elementary school students to use cell phones during the day, including lunch and recess.
Middle school students can use their phones before and after school and during lunch. High school students can use cell phones before and after school, during lunch and passing periods.
Butler said the council is reiterating the current policy and also making sure board members approve as the district returns to normal.
He added that he wants to make sure teachers and administrators are supported when enforcing the policy.
Board member Hannah Smith said she wants to make sure parents understand that devices that go off will be taken, along with a $15 fine. “It’s not meant to be punitive, but if it doesn’t have any bite to it, it’s going to be one of those situations where one teacher will give you a chance and another won’t,” Smith said.
Board member Cameron Bryan said he is concerned about how the policy is enforced and that he wants to hear from teachers and others in the community.
Board member Michelle Moore said she understands the concerns about students using their phones to cheat and how they can be distracted, but said high school students also need to learn responsibility.
“We are also preparing these students for college, and I do think they need to take some personal responsibility in terms of how they are managing and how they are using their cell phones. I imagine there are just as many teachers who don’t want to become cell phone monitors,” she said.
This story was originally published April 5, 2022 at 3:01 PM.