Local high school students can say farewell to their cell phones for the length of the academic day. The Freehold Regional High School District Board of Education adopted a new policy at its Aug. 25 meeting which requires remotely activated or activating communication devices to be kept in student lockers.
The new policy will be in effect Sept. 4 when classes begin for the 2008-09 school year. There are slightly less than 12,000 students in the district’s six high schools.
The policy concerning cell phones was introduced at the board’s July 28 meeting and slightly revised prior to its adoption on Aug. 25. The new policy allows students to have iPod music devices in their possession during the school day, but forbids them from having cell phones, beepers, walkie-talkies and other handheld computing devices in their possession during the school day.
According to the policy, students will be responsible for turning off their cell phones and storing them in their assigned locker during the instructional day. The instructional day begins with the homeroom bell and includes breaks such as lunch, class changes and study halls.
These devices will not be allowed on a student’s person including pockets, purses and book bags. Anyone found violating the policy will be subject to disciplinary action and confiscation of the device.
Administrators have said the reason behind instituting the new policy is because of the distraction that cell phones have become in the classroom. Camera options on the cell phones have created situations of cheating, inappropriate photos and bullying, according to administrators.
Teachers and administrators who were present at the Aug. 25 board meeting expressed their agreement with the policy.
In the case of a student who is an active member of a volunteer organization such as a fire company or a first aid squad, the student would be allowed to keep his cell phone on his person during the day, but would only be permitted to use it as part of his responsibilities to the volunteer organization.
Documentation from the emergency organization’s chief executive officer would be required to meet this condition, according to the policy.
The policy states that the board assumes no responsibility for the loss, destruction or theft of any devices that are brought to school.
The FRHSD’s revised cell phone policy was adopted in a unanimous vote of seven board members.
Kathie Lavin, who is Farmingdale’s representative to the board, abstained on the vote. Katie Goon, who is Marlboro’s representative to the board, was absent from the meeting.