Officials discuss phone use in class

Superintendent reveals results of district-wide survey

MIFFLINTOWN -- The Juniata County School District is evaluating its cell phone policy and administrators believe current policies are similar to what surrounding districts have in place.

Cell phone usage in the classroom is a hot topic across the country as schools try to balance the educational values of cell phones with students' need to use them.

Juniata County School District Superintendent of Schools Christie Holderman said a six-question survey was sent to all staff members in the district asking for feedback.

Holderman shared the survey results and discussed the subject at Wednesday night's district workshop meeting at the administration office in Mifflintown.

The results from the 145 surveys returned were:

• 88 percent said students should be allowed to bring cell phones to school.

• 99 percent said there should be consequences if students violate the district's cell phone policy.

• 52 percent indicated there might be times when parents need to communicate with students via their phones.

• Emergency situations were the main reason that students should be permitted to have their cell phones at school.

• 52 percent said the district should look into securing a grant for purchasing pouches that could be used to store the cell phones in the classroom. Grant funding is available for districts who alter their policies to incorporate the use of these pouches, which can lock the phones while they are stored.

• Non-instructional time, which includes study halls, lunch and breaks between classes, was when usage of cell phones should be allowed during the school day.

Holderman said teachers who have procedures in place for cell phone usage in the classroom have collection boxes or pouches for storage; others ask students to keep their phones in their backpacks or face down on their desks.

"Other districts have policies that are very similar to what we have," Holderman said. "Nobody has changed their policy to pursue the grant."

Board member Cindy Treaster believes there are occasions when students can access their phones at school. "There are times when kids need to get a hold of someone.

"See what's going on in the world," she added, when asked what those times might be.

Board member Jackson Albert disagreed, stating cell phones remain a distraction in the classroom. He prefers they are kept in students' lockers, or possibly in their backpacks.

Even if there is an emergency, Albert said, "Our teachers are the guardians of the classrooms. If there is an emergency, they have cell phones and can call 911.

"Out of sight and out of mind," he added, affirming his view of the best policy.

Holderman said administrators will continue to monitor cell phone usage, gathering information and checking disciplinary reports specifically to see what sort of violations occur.