The School Board is committed to providing all students a safe and secure learning environment. The use of personal technology is a privilege, not a right, and will only be permitted if a signed authorization form (Acceptable Use of Personal Technology Authorization Form) is on file with the school district indicating compliance with current procedures and safeguards and may require the payment of a fee if provided for in the related Administrative Procedure. 

Examples of electronic devices that are used as study aids include, but are not limited to: devices with audio or video recording, MP3 players, some cellular telephones, smartphones, laptop computers, Chromebooks®, and tablet computers or devices, e.g., iPads®.

Examples of electronic devices that are not used as study aids include but are not limited to: hand-held electronic games, CD players, MP3 players, web-enabled devices of any type such as wearables , global positioning systems (GPS), radios, and cellular telephones (with or without cameras) used for a purpose other than a study aid.

The use of technology as educational material in a curriculum-based program is not a necessity but a privilege, and a student does not have an absolute right to use his or her electronic device while at school. If applicable, using technology as a study aid must always follow the established rules. Using technology at all other times must always follow the established rules for cell phones and other electronic devices at school.

The District is not responsible for the loss, theft, or damage of personal technology. In order to achieve this goal, the use of personal technology on school grounds by students will be allowed under the following conditions. 

For students in grades Pre-K through 5:

1. Personal technology will not be utilized during school hours.

2. During school hours, students will be required to turn off all personal technology and keep it off their person. 

3. Personal technology will be permitted before and after school.

4. They may not be used for creating, sending, sharing, viewing, receiving, or possessing indecent visual depictions or non-consensual dissemination of private sexual images as defined in State law, i.e., sexting. Possession is prohibited regardless of whether the depiction violates State law. Any cellular phone or electronic device may be searched upon reasonable suspicion of sexting or other violations of policy. All sexting violations will require school administrators to follow student discipline policies in addition to contacting the police and reporting suspected child abuse or neglect when appropriate.

Electronic study aids may be used during the school day if:

1. Use of the device is provided in the student’s IEP, or

2. Parents apply for a waiver for medical/academic purposes during school hours with a completed and approved 9:10 E1, Acceptable Use of Personal Technology Authorization Form

If personal technology usage is deemed inappropriate disciplinary action will be taken as outlined in Student Discipline Policy 7:190.

For students in grades 6 through 8:

1. Personal technology will be allowed during school hours as long as it is stored out of sight and non-disruptive.

2. Personal technology may be utilized during school for academic purposes with direct guidance from teachers.

3. Personal technology is not allowed during lunch hours.

4. Students will be allowed to use personal technology before and after school on District property or during district-sponsored or related activities as long as it is not disruptive or inappropriate.

5. Personal technology shall not be used for inappropriate purposes.

6. They may not be used for creating, sending, sharing, viewing, receiving, or possessing indecent visual depictions or non-consensual dissemination of private sexual images as defined in State law, i.e., sexting. Possession is prohibited regardless of whether the depiction violates State law. Any cellular phone or electronic device may be searched upon reasonable suspicion of sexting or other violations of policy. All sexting violations will require school administrators to follow student discipline policies in addition to contacting the police and reporting suspected child abuse or neglect when appropriate.

Electronic study aids may be used during the school day if:

1. Use of the device is provided in the student’s IEP, or

2. Parents apply for a waiver for medical/academic purposes during school hours with a completed and approved 9:10 E1, Acceptable Use of Personal Technology Authorization Form.

If personal technology usage is deemed inappropriate, disciplinary action will be taken as outlined in Student Behavior Policy 7:190. 

Reviewed: July 8, 2014, December 8, 2014, June 27, 2016, December 13, 2021,

May 20, 2024

Adopted: August 11, 2014