e
96 South Main Street, Nephi, Utah 84648 - Voice: 435 623-0525 - FAX: 435 623-4735 News for November 6, 2024 |
|||
---|---|---|---|
|
|||
|
By Myrna Trauntvein A resolution regarding cell phone, smart watch, and other electronic device use in Juab School District was approved by board members. The motion to approve was made by Hollie Holman, board member, and was seconded by Janet Ware, board member, and all voted in favor. Linda Hanks, board president, read the resolution into the record of board meeting. The first two paragraphs of the resolution read: “Whereas, the Juab School District board of Education recognizes that national studies show the use of personal cell phones, smart watches, or other electronic devices (collectively ‘cell phones’) in classrooms can negatively impact the emotional well-being of students, disrupt the learning environment, cause distractions that can negatively impact teaching, learning and testing and can negatively impact the safe learning environment that is desired in all Juab Schools; “Whereas the Juab School Board believes it is in the best interest of students, administrators, teachers and employees to minimize distractions and disruptions during instructional time, which is critical for increasing academics proficiency...” The body of the resolution addresses nine items. The Juab School Board of Education resolved that they support the cell phone use policy of each school in the district; applauds and supports school administrators, teachers, and staff in their efforts to enforce school cell phone policy; strongly encourages students and parents to recognize the importance of complying with school cell phone policy and the negative impact failure to comply with such policy can have on the educational environment and the mental health of students; expects that parents and students comply with school cell phone policy. The board also resolves to condemn all personal attacks against school administrators, teachers and staff for enforcing school cell phone policy; is grateful for the many caring, talented and dedicated educators and staff for enforcing school cell phone policy; is grateful for the many wonderful individuals in our community who support the educational efforts of the district; is honored to serve the people of this community; and encourages patrons who had concerns with school policy to respectfully raise their concerns with the applicable school administrator or the school board as a body. Holman said that the phone calls were overwhelmingly in favor of the ways the schools were handling the electronic devices. “The calls I have received are 99 to 1 in support of policy,” she said. The teachers who had talked to her were also in support of a policy. Ware said her experience had been similar to the one Holman had had. Cassie Beutler, board member, said she wanted the administration at each building to know that the board was behind them. “You do the best you can until you know better and then you do better,” said Hanks. “Every one of the administrators recognizes that there will be times when hardships will need to be handled on a case by case basis,” said Dr. Kodey Hughes, superintendent. “One that is dear to me is that there should never be personal attacks against school administrators, teachers and staff for enforcing school cell phone policy.” Holman said that disagreement was fine, it was the way that disagreement was handled. There was a way to disagree without being disagreeable. Holman made the motion to adopt the resolution. Ware made the second, and all voted in favor. The resolution went into effect immediately.
|