KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KCTV) – On Monday, an online survey by Shawnee Mission School District (SMSD) closed after hundreds of people gave their input on changing the district’s current cell phone and personal device policy.
SMSD put out a ThoughtExchange where people could share their feedback on student use of personal technology devices.
SMSD shared with KCTV5 that the use of personal devices in schools, including cell phones, is an action step included in the district’s Strategic Plan. This is one of the first items from that plan they are addressing, and an action team is moving this work forward.
This is the goal of the Strategic Plan for technology usage in schools:
Goal: “Action Step 4.1.3- Create a developmental guide related to age-appropriate usage of technology (to include the use of personal devices) with consideration for students who may require individualized support.
Below is the current policy for cell phones and personal devices within the district:
Elementary and Middle School:
SMSD is committed to providing highly effective and consistent learning spaces across the district. During instructional time, the personal use of cell phones and other electronic devices that are not district-issued is prohibited unless explicitly directed by school staff. Cell phones and other personal electronic devices are to be turned off and put away during the day in order to respect the educational environment of the classroom. Medical exemptions may be applied. Initial violations will fall under the Discipline Matrix as a Level 1 offense. Subsequent violations will result in progressive disciplinary action.
High School:
SMSD is committed to providing highly effective and consistent learning spaces across the district. During instructional time, the personal use of cell phones and other electronic devices that are not district-issued is prohibited unless explicitly directed by school staff. Medical exemptions may be applied. Initial violations will fall under the Discipline Matrix as a Level 1 offense. Subsequent violations will result in progressive disciplinary action.
Over 4,000 people participated in the ThoughtExchange and KCTV5 spoke with two moms who have students in the district to hear their thoughts.
Jewell Vold is a busy working mom of three, her 13-year-old son attends school at SMSD.
“I think a lot of parents this day and age have split custody so it is important for me to know where my son is and it’s important for his dad to know,” said Shawnee Mission parent, Jewell Vold.
She and many other parents have concerns for their child’s safety when they are at school.
“Knowing where he is and if is okay and if he needs to get ahold of me I’m not checking up on him I’m not one of those moms that is like I’m going to go through your phone like I understand being a teenager and privacy, but I want to be able to get ahold of him if there is an issue,” said Vold.
With all the recent school shooting threats, she said having his location is important.
Many feel that phones can be a distraction, but she said other things can as well.
“You’ve got hormones all kinds of things going on popularity, like where you are with your school work this that, and the other is it another problem? Probably to a point, I mean I was in 6th grade when Columbine happened and it shook our nation and we didn’t know what to do with that,” said Vold. She added, “I don’t want to be that parent that’s scrolling Facebook to find out that there is a school shooting is happening and I think that is a real problem, and if it comes into a dire situation that is the last time I get to talk to him you know.”
On the other side, some parents want stricter changes on devices in the classroom.
“I’m 100% in support of a bell-to-bell cell phone-free school and policy that is consistent amongst grade levels it is consistent amongst schools,” said Shawnee Mission parent Megan Coffey.
Coffey has two kids in the district and has a background in education.
“Teachers just want to be able to come to school and do what they love and do what they are trained to do which is teach and not be cell phone police, not deal with social media, and drama, and bullying, and distractibility and parents contacting their kids constantly,” said Coffey. She added, “I want what’s best for my kids and what’s best for other people’s kids and for teachers.”
Coffey said the book ‘The Anxious Generation’ gave her more insight into how kids’ mental health is impacted by devices.
“Research supports and shows that it is a distraction,” said Coffey. She added, “We need to give our kids a boost and let them be more independent and this one piece of it.”
Olathe Public Schools and Gardner Edgerton School District implemented a cell phone ban policy this school year.
Both shared implementations have gone smoothly and they haven’t run into any major issues.
SMSD said the feedback is an important part of the decision process.
Coffey is hopeful those opposed to a ban can talk with others and research how a phone can affect a learning environment.
“Really just challenging parents to ask themselves the question of who does this benefit does it benefit my child or is it actually really benefiting me,” said Coffey.
Vold is looking forward to compromise as the district makes a decision.
“To like the parents that are like oh it is bad for their education this that and the other like I would challenge you as a parent maybe just step in a little bit more see what you can do to help with the teacher and quit blaming a phone when it could be something else,” said Vold.
Both these moms hope the district takes the ThoughtExchange feedback into consideration when making a recommendation.
SMSD said the action team plans to present final recommendations to the School Board by the end of December.
The Kansas State Department of Education has a task force looking into how technology and screen time can have an impact on students.
They are meeting weekly through November 7 and plan to present their final recommendations to the State Board at its November 12-13 meeting.
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