At the Garfield Re-2 School District meeting on Aug. 28, there was a discussion about personal electronic devices such as cell phones — and some of the concerns about overuse of them by students while classes are in session.

“At the last board meeting (Aug. 14 meeting) we talked a little bit about cell phones and where we’re going as a group with cell phone practices and policies,” said Lisa Pierce, Assistant Superintendent. 

Pierce said that some principals reported issues with watches and glasses that have a user interface. 

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To achieve how the district will deal with this use/overuse of personal technology devices, Pierce has a plan.

“There’s a list of activities we’ll do to accomplish this work,” she said. “We have formed our committees. We have a meeting schedule for all three separate groups.” The groups are for elementary level, middle school level and high school level. 

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After the groups meet, the board will discuss results and create a plan for the district. 

“That’s the first thing, we’ve asked them all to send us what they have right now, we’re going to put them side by side,” Pierce said. “We’ll have a document of ‘this is all the information we have on what our elementaries do, middle schools do, and what our high schools do’.”

She’s hoping to have this information before the first meeting of all the committee groups coming together, so they can talk about it and come to a landing spot. 

“Part of the work besides aligning the policies will be a rollout plan for parents and community members about the why behind what we’re doing what we’re doing,” Pierce said. 

Pierce also said they’re looking at talking about cyberbullying.

“We are looking at some training for parent workshops around cyberbullying and what we could bring to our community that would help parents to identify cyberbullying and what to do about it on their end,” said Pierce. “as well as what they should tell their children.”

Pierce finished the plan with implementation of the personal device policies and then a follow-up to see how the district’s schools are doing with said policy with possible revisions if need be. 

The schools have already sent in their procedures, picked out their groups and are looking forward to their first meeting on Sep. 11. 

“I will say it was brought up to me, one of the concerns,” said board member Fathom Jensen. “Kids that have medical devices that are linked to their smartphone, such as anything for diabetes or a heart monitor.”

Jensen also mentioned that some schools may have a technology-free day, and that a parent was concerned about those days. 

“Kids were supposed to turn in assignments on their chromebook,” Jensen said. “You’d get in trouble for being on your chromebook, but then you’d get a docked grade for having it turned in late.”

Pierce assured the board that this was why they were having these committees, to work out the kinks between schools. 

“It’d be nice if we had a protocol to roll out before Christmas,” Pierce said.