PARKERSBURG - Officials will strengthen rules governing cell phones in schools after the Wood County Board of Education voted down a revised version of the policy.
The board Tuesday voted 4-1 against a revised Policy 5114.11: Communication/Electronic Devices Tuesday, with board member Jim Fox voting for the policy.
Board members said they felt the policy, which allowed students to use cell phones during lunch periods, created too much of a "gray area," which led to abuse. Several board members said they wanted to remove all use and display of cell phones during the school day.
"Until the use of a cell phone becomes part of the educational process, I do not see the need of it," said board member Tim Yeater.
Board president Rick Olcott said last year he wanted to restrict cell phones throughout the school day but was willing to allow limited use. Olcott said students abused the privilege.
"I wanted the students to prove me wrong," he said. "They failed to do that. I feel no different now than I did a year ago."
Millie Stoneking, president of the Wood County Education Association, renewed a call for the board to outlaw use of cell phones during the school day. Stoneking's request has been echoed by the district's other teacher and service personnel groups.
"Get rid of them," she said. "When you allow exceptions, you cause confusion."
Superintendent Bill Niday said the revised policy defeated Tuesday reflected the board's wishes and he asked for more clear guidance on how it should be changed.
"This was what you asked me to do," Niday said after the board voted against the policy. "Tell me what you want me to do."
Board members asked for the new policy to not include allowing students to use their phones during the lunch period.
The board stopped short of calling for a total ban, but members are still debating whether the phones should be placed in lockers at the beginning of the school day or could be carried by students.
"That is what I am asking you," Niday said. "Are we supposed to do random searches?"
"The problem with it being on their person is it still becomes unmanageable in a lockdown situation," Olcott said.
Stoneking said students also would continue to use their cell phones if they were allowed to carry them into classrooms.
"They do that now," she said.
"I think it is going to be a difficult enforcement issue," Niday said. "It is already."
Niday plans to bring another version of the policy to the board Aug. 4 during a special meeting. The meeting begins at 6:30 p.m. at the board's 13th and Plum street offices.
