BOURBON – Triton School Board was updated Monday about the school corporation’s new cell phone policy.
Superintendent Jeremy Riffle said an email was sent out to parents on July 2 to make them aware of the new cell phone policy.
The cell phone policy is in accordance with Senate Bill 185, which “requires each school corporation and charter school to: (1) adopt and implement a wireless communication device policy that governs student use of a wireless communication device; and (2) publish the policy on the school corporation's or charter school's website,” according the Indiana General Assembly website.
Monday, Riffle said it has been advised by school staff, with his support, to be restrictive in the phone policy. Riffle said the policy can be possibly loosened up later. The biggest thing is to cut down on distraction during instructional time.
“And I want just want to be very clear. It is not just a student concern, but that is also possibly a teacher concern,” he said, noting he hopes the school corporation has struck a balance that is not a distraction to instruction time.
For seventh through 12th grades, all devices will put into lockers during class time. Students will be able to get their phones during pass time and lunch time.
Students will be able to have their Google Chrome devices, Riffle said.
Board member Steve Stichter asked about students who have diseases like diabetes and have medical programs on their phones.
Riffle said the law states if it is part of medical plan, there may be exceptions.
In other business, the board:
• Approved the 2024-25 student and athletic handbooks.
• Approved the teacher appreciation grant.
• Learned 84% of third-graders passed the IREAD-3.
• Learned 55 high schoolers attended summer school, which ends July 21.