JRCT

Adopted: April 23, 2019
Revised: Nov. 18, 2024

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STUDENT USE OF CELL PHONES AND OTHER
PERSONAL TECHNOLOGY DEVICES

The Board of Education understands that technology is integrated into our lives in learning, working, and recreation. Personal technology devices may be useful tools for students in the educational environment under certain conditions. At the same time, the use of social media and technology is associated with poorer mental health outcomes and is disruptive to the educational process and school operations.

For purposes of this policy, "personal technology device" (PTD) includes any privately-owned portable technology device, including but not limited to cell phones, wearables (watches, headphones etc.), cameras, audio and/or video recorders and players, and all other hand-held or mobile electronic communication and data storage devices.

At elementary and middle schools, students with cell phones or other PTDs must keep their PTDs turned off and away during school hours. At high schools, students with cell phones or other PTDs must keep their PTDs turned off and away during school hours when on campus.

The Board is particularly concerned about the impact of cellphones on students and adult interpersonal relationships and social development. Consistent with this purpose, students shall not use personal tablets or laptops to access social media or other applications unrelated to specific academic tasks during school hours when on campus.

Exceptions to this Policy may only be made during supervised instructional time and for specific academic purposes by the supervising educator and consistent with the School’s implementation protocols.

Students shall never use PTDs to engage in, promote or facilitate any other conduct that violates the student code of conduct, other Board policies or regulations, or state or federal law, including but not limited to, the use of digital media captured on PTDs to bully, harass, humiliate or otherwise cause injury to another person. Also, student use of PTDs to record audio and/or video is specifically prohibited during school hours while on campus.

The Board asks all schools and families to support this Policy’s purpose of keeping educational time free from unnecessary distraction. The Board assures students and families that the School District will communicate with families through messaging systems and that parents/guardians and students can communicate through school phones and our schools’ main offices during the school day.

Students who require access to technology, that may include a PTD, in order to access a free appropriate public education will have their needs addressed as part of their Section 504 plan or Individual Education Program (IEP) that will supersede this Policy. Students seeking an accommodation related to a temporary health condition may have their needs addressed through a student support plan developed through a team process at the School with the final decision made by the School unless otherwise required by law.

Violation of this policy or any other School District, school or classroom rule or regulation on student use of PTDs will result in progressive consequences, including disciplinary measures and/or temporary confiscation of the PTD, in accordance with BVSD’s discipline protocols.

The School District shall not be responsible for loss, theft or destruction of PTDs brought onto school or School District property or to school-sponsored activities or events.

The School District shall keep and regularly review data on the implementation of this policy and shall take preventative and responsive steps to assure its equitable enforcement.

LEGAL REF.:   

C.R.S. 18-7-109 (posting, possession or exchange of a private image by a juvenile)

CROSS REFS.:   

JS, Student use of District Technology, the Internet and Electronic Communications