Lewiston schools will begin new cellphone, recording

restrictions The policy aims to significantly restrict

the use of cellphones in the classroom.
Paolella, Vanessa

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ABSTRACT (ENGLISH)
School Committee representatives suggested several mostly minor edits to the policy in response to community
feedback. Other devices restricted during the school day include, but are not limited to, iPods, MP3 players, hand-
held computers, electronic games, laser pointers, headphones and similar devices. Students' phones could be
subjected to search if there is reasonable suspicion of a violation of committee or other school rules in accordance
with the law, which include, but are not limited to harassment, cheating and violations of the student code of
conduct, according to the proposed policy.

FULL TEXT
LEWISTON -- School Committee members voted unanimously to adopt a revised cellphone and recording policy
that would significantly restrict the use of devices in school.
"I think this policy is something we have to do," Chairman and Ward 1 representative Bruce Damon said, adding that
parent buy-in was critical.
Damon and other representatives spoke to the need for broad, equal enforcement across the district: "There can be
no nice guys," he said.
School Committee representatives suggested several mostly minor edits to the policy in response to community
feedback. A form sent to the school community received more than 600 responses, the majority of which were
generally in support of the policy.
Students will be able to retrieve confiscated phones at the end of the day with parent permission; a previous version
of the policy stated that parents or guardians would need to pick up the phone from the school. Other clarifications
were made to the enforcement section of the policy.
The recording section was edited to state that staff and administrators were the only ones who could give permission
for photographs, videos and audio recordings on school property, not students themselves.
The policy was expanded to include pre-kindergarten students.
Several School Committee members expressed a desire to receive an update on the policy later this year in order to
consider further changes.
Under the policy, students in pre-kindergarten to eighth grade would be required to keep cellphones in their bags
during the day. High school students also would be barred from using their cellphones, except during breaks
between classes and lunch.
An exception could be made for devices that are deemed to be "essential for the student's health, safety or for
educational purposes as determined by the administration."
Students would additionally be prohibited from taking photos, videos or audio recordings in locker rooms and
bathrooms. At any other school location, permission must be obtained from school staff or administrators before
recording another person on school property.
Other devices restricted during the school day include, but are not limited to, iPods, MP3 players, hand-held
computers, electronic games, laser pointers, headphones and similar devices.

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Students' phones could be subjected to search if there is reasonable suspicion of a violation of committee or other
school rules in accordance with the law, which include, but are not limited to harassment, cheating and violations of
the student code of conduct, according to the proposed policy.
Policy violations could lead to confiscation of the device, up to suspension, expulsion or referral to law enforcement
for serious offenses.
The new cellphone policy will be in effect for the first day of school Wednesday.
Superintendent Jake Langlais said the district is ready for the first day of school even though it is still trying to fill
education technician and teaching positions.
Some educational technicians moved into teaching roles to help fill vacancies and administrators shifted some
teachers around to help make up for the staffing shortage, Langlais said.
In regard to transportation, Langlais said the district is in a far better position with drivers than it was earlier this year.
Still, there may be some disruptions, he said.
School officials additionally asked that the community keep an eye out for students walking to and from bus stops.
Vanessa Paolella -- 207-689-2850
vpaolella@sunjournal.com
Twitter: @vapaolella

DETAILS

Subject: Teaching; Cellular telephones; Audio recordings; Students; Electronic games

Publication title: Portland Press Herald; Portland, Me.

First page: B.2

Publication year: 2022

Publication date: Aug 30, 2022

Publisher: Portland Newspapers

Place of publication: Portland, Me.

Country of publication: United States, Portland, Me.

Publication subject: General Interest Periodicals--United States

ISSN: 26895900

e-ISSN: 26895919

Source type: Newspaper

Language of publication: English

Document type: News

ProQuest document ID: 2707777967

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cellphone/docview/2707777967/se-2?accountid=31259

Copyright: Copyright Portland Newspapers Aug 30, 2022

Last updated: 2022-08-30

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