Phoenixville Area revises policy on personal electronics - dailylocal.com

Phoenixville Area revises policy on personal electronics - dailylocal.com

Phoenixville Area revises policy on personal electronics


Cell phones are 'restricted,' not 'prohibited'

Tuesday, September 20, 2011

By Mark D. Marotta, Journal Register News Service

PHOENIXVILLE — The Phoenixville Area School Board approved a policy revision that loosens restrictions on students' use of personal electronic devices such as cell phones and iPods.

The board voted 5-0 without discussion in favor of the policy change following a motion by member Joshua D. Gould and seconded by Daniel Cushing. Board Vice President Debbie Dawson and board members Mary Croke-Parris, Jill Slawecki and David Ziev were absent.

The revised policy provides that the district "restricts the use of personally owned electronic devices by students during the school day in district buildings, on district property and while students are attending school-sponsored activities during the school day."

Previously, the policy stated such use was "prohibited."

The change to the policy consists largely of the addition of two paragraphs, one of which provides that the high school principal "will clearly communicate guidelines identifying when and where (high school) students may listen to music and text while walking between classes and during lunch periods."

The other new provision allows all students to use iPods, and to text and use cell phones "while going to and from events or games with coaches or adviser approval. These privileges may be withdrawn at any time by the principal (or designee) or the coach or adviser (or designee)."

Gould explained that under the previous version of the policy that prohibited the use of personal electronic devices, a considerable amount of time at the high school was spent confiscating cell phones. He said the administration had said that other districts were not as restrictive and recommended relaxing the policy in a way that would not be disruptive.

At a Sept. 13 school board policy committee meeting, Gould added, the administration also recommended that the board discuss the use of music devices and iPods during study halls. He said the committee decided to talk about that issue at its Oct. 18 meeting.

Gould said the policy change had nothing to do with a sexting incident earlier this year when a topless photograph of a female at the high school circulated electronically among students.

In other business, the board heard from a student representative for the junior class, AnnieMarie Rubino, who reported some concerns among students about the district's new pay-to-participate policy.

The board voted in August to adopt a policy under which middle and high school students participating in extracurricular activities are responsible for fees that begin at $25.

Some activities, such as those for which a grade is given, are excluded from the policy.

According to Rubino, students had concerns about where the money from the fees would be going. She also raised the issue of whether the fees might affect some students' ability to participate in activities.

Superintendent Alan Fegley said the money from the fee goes into the budget to pay for extracurricular activities. He added that any high school student who felt he or she could not participate in extracurricular activities because of the fee should notify Anthony Palladino, the athletic director. Students at the middle school should speak with their counselor, Fegley said.

In light of Rubino's remarks, Cushing urged the administration to work with the high school staff to ensure all students would be able to participate in activities.

"We need full participation," said board President Paul Slaninka. "We don't want one student spending one second not participating."

The Phoenixville Community Education Foundation recently worked with school officials to create a fund for students and families who are unable to afford the pay-to-participate fee.

Cushing said the school board's real estate and buildings and grounds committee had discussed renovating the cupola of the old Schuylkill School. He said a bid for the project had come in at $250,000, and school officials agreed that cost was unacceptable. Cushing said the issue likely would be discussed again among representatives from the school district, Schuylkill Township and the historical commission.

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