We have an update on the Douglas County cell phone policy. This week, the school board passed a policy that falls short of what we asked for and what students deserve. Elementary and middle schoolers will have phone-free school days. High schoolers will not.
The high school policy allows phone use during passing periods and lunch, which research tells us undermines the full benefit of a phone-free school day and means teachers end up policing cell phones for the first 15 minutes of class time.
We are disappointed. And we know many of you are too.
But before we say anything else, we want to say this: thank you. Over 400 of you emailed the board, completed the survey, and signed petitions. You showed up for Douglas County kids. That matters, even when the outcome is not what we hoped for.
Here is what we want you to know: this work is bigger than one district.
We will also be exploring a statewide solution with policymakers that would set a stronger standard for every school, including high schools. We will keep pushing for policies that protect every student, every hour of the school day. We will keep you updated as that work moves forward. We are not done fighting for Douglas County high schoolers and we know you aren’t either.
