3245 - Students and Telecommunication Devices

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BOARD POLICY No. 3245

Students in possession of telecommunications devices, including, but not limited to, pagers, beepers and cellular phones, while on school property or while attending school-sponsored or school-related activities will observe the following conditions:

Elementary School

The district prohibits the use of all personal electronic devices (including cell phones) during the school day. If a parent/guardian wishes his/her child to have a cell phone, it must remain in the student's backpack and be turned off during school hours. All communication between parents and students during the school day must go through school personnel.

If a personal electronic device is seen or heard during the school day, the device will be confiscated by school personnel. Students who violate this policy will be subject to progressive disciplinary action up to and including confiscation of the device and/or losing the privilege of bringing the device onto school property. The first step in all cases shall be a verbal reminder by a Walla Walla Public Schools staff member to put the device away and/or cease operating it. A device which has been confiscated shall only be returned to the student's parent/guardian. The device will be available for pick-up at the school office by the parent/guardian as determined by the school.

A student who is isolated and involved in a school investigation will not have access to any telecommunication/electronic device while the investigation is in process.

The school and district are not responsible for the loss or damage of any electronic item brought to school including those devices that have been confiscated. Furthermore, the district will not investigate lost, stolen or damaged devices.

Teachers may grant exceptions in their own classrooms to this policy if use contributes to instructional and/or educational efforts.

Middle School

A. All telecommunication/electronic devices shall not be in visible sight or operated while school is in session. However, teachers may grant exceptions in their classrooms to this policy if use contributes to instructional and/or educational efforts. Telecommunication/electronic devices can only be displayed and/or operated before and after the regular school day, unless an emergency situation exists that involves imminent physical danger or a school administrator authorizes the student to do otherwise;

B. Students will not use telecommunication devices in a manner that poses a threat to academic integrity, disrupts the learning environment or violates the privacy rights of others;

C. Students will not send, share, view or possess pictures, text messages, emails or other material depicting sexually explicit conduct, as defined in RCW 9.68A.011, in electronic or any other form on a cell phone or other electronic device, while the student is on school grounds, at school sponsored events or on school buses or vehicles provided by the district;

D. When a school official has reasonable suspicion, based on objective and articulable facts, that a student is using a telecommunications device in a manner that violates the law or school rules, the official may confiscate the device, which will only be returned to the student's parent or legal guardian;

E. By bringing a cell phone or other electronic devices to school or school-sponsored events, the student and their parent/guardian consent to the search of the device when school officials have a reasonable suspicion, based on objective and articulable facts, that such a search will reveal a violation of the law or school rules. The scope of the search will be limited to the violation of which the student is accused. Content or images that violate state or federal laws will be referred to law enforcement;

F. Students are responsible for devices they bring to school. The district will not be responsible for loss, theft or destruction of devices brought onto school property or to school sponsored events;

G. Students will comply with any additional rules developed by the school concerning the appropriate use of telecommunication or other electronic devices; and

Students who violate this policy will be subject to disciplinary action, including suspension or expulsion.

High School

A. All telecommunication/electronic devices shall not be in visible sight or operated while school is in session. However, teachers may grant exceptions in their classrooms to this policy if use contributes to instructional and/or educational efforts. Telecommunication/electronic devices can only be displayed and/or operated before and after the regular school day, and during a student's scheduled lunch period and between classes, unless an emergency situation exists that involves imminent physical danger or a school administrator authorizes the student to do otherwise;

B. Students will not use telecommunication devices in a manner that poses a threat to academic integrity, disrupts the learning environment or violates the privacy rights of others;

G. Students will comply with any additional rules developed by the school concerning the appropriate use of telecommunication or other electronic devices; and

H. Students who violate this policy will be subject to disciplinary action, including suspension or expulsion.

Cross References:

Board Policy 2022 Electronic Resources

Board Policy 3207 Prohibition of Harassment, Intimidation and Bullying

Board Policy 3241 Classroom Management, Discipline and Corrective Action

Board Policy 4310 Relations with Law Enforcement Agencies, Child Protective Agencies and County Health Officials

Adopted: August 21, 2007

Revised: June 3, 2014

Revised: August 15, 2017

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