Policy JICJ Use of Paging Devices In School

Issued  6/06

Purpose:  To establish the basic structure for the board's prohibition of student use of paging devices (including cellular phones) in school.

No student may possess a paging device under the following circumstances
      •  while on school property
               •  while attending a school sponsored or school related activity on or off school property during normal school hours

The district will make an exception to this rule under the following circumstances:

-  A student under age 18 may possess a paging device if the student needs the paging device for a legitimate medical reason or for a legitimate matter dealing with security.

-  A student age 18 or over may possess a paging device under any of the following circumstances.

        -  the student is an active member of a volunteer firefighting organization

        -  the student is an active member of a volunteer emergency service organization

        -  the student needs the paging device for a legitimate medical reason

        -  the student needs the paging device for a legitimate reason dealing with security

 

Before a student may have a paging device at school, the principal must have written, approved evidence on file of the student's medical need or membership in voluntary firefighting or emergency medical service organization.

 

The principal of each school will decide what constitutes a legitimate medical reason or a legitimate reason dealing with security consistent with any guidelines established by this board and/or by the state department of education.

 

A student who has a paging device without permission as outlined in this policy is subject to discipline as provided by board policy.

 

A person who finds a student in possession of a paging device without permission must report the student to the school principal or his/her designee. The principal or his/her designee, or a law enforcement officer, must confiscate the device.  Items confiscated during the regular school year will be returned to parents/legal guardians upon request for the first offense. Items confiscated for subsequent offenses will be returned to parents/legal guardians at the end of the year.  Items confiscated during summer school will be handled in the same manner.  Parents/Legal guardians must sign a contract when the device is returned outlining the conditions of the return.

 

Adopted 8/27/96; Revised 5/26/98, 6/26/01, 7/1/03, 6/27/06