SELBYVILLE, Del. - The Indian River School District is considering changes to its cell phone policy that could ease the punishment for first time offenders, the board president said.
The proposal, which could come up for a vote Tuesday evening, would allow some students caught with a cell phone during school hours to avoid probation, according to a draft of the proposal posted by the district online.
Instead, students could receive a waiver for probation on the first offense only by surrendering their cell phone during the probation period, the draft shows. Students could still take part in school activities and the phone would be returned after a parent conference.
The district bans students from possessing cell phones during school hours. Under the existing policy, students caught for the first time receive ten school days probation, or two weeks time. Students cannot participate in school activities during that time. The cell phone is taken by school administrators and must be retrieved by parents or guardians during school hours.
The proposed changes came up after some complained the punishment for the first offense was too harsh, School Board President Charles Bireley said. In many cases, first-time offenders had no previous disciplinary problems, the president said.
At least one student, possibly more, missed their graduation ceremony this year because of the existing policy, Bireley said. When asked if it was more than one who missed the ceremony, Bireley said he believed so but wasn't sure.
Other students missed two weeks worth of sports games or band practice, the president said. The proposed change would allow weekend days and holidays to count in the probationary period, according to the draft.
In some cases, the proposed policy would toughen penalties - especially for repeat offenders. Students caught with a cell phone for the third time would have to surrender the phone for the remainder of the school year, according to the draft.
The school board already held one reading of the proposal and needs to give final approval before any changes could take place.
The Indian River School District covers parts of central and southeastern Sussex County, running from Georgetown south to Selbyville and west to the beaches.
