JDE - Student Electronic Devices

1. PURPOSE AND PHILOSOPHY

Nebo School District promotes an environment conducive to teaching, learning, and student wellbeing. The Board recognizes that electronic devices can be both valuable tools and sources of distraction. The Board also recognizes that prolonged time on social media and frequent notifications from personal electronic devices can have detrimental effects on students’ mental health and academic success. In order to maintain an effective learning environment, to promote respect and courtesy among students, and to facilitate student wellbeing, the Board adopts this policy governing student use of electronic devices.

Under Utah Code Ann. § 53G-7-227, the district is required to establish a policy governing student use of a cellphone, smart watch, or other emerging technology, as those terms are defined in the law. This policy aims to satisfy the requirements outlined in the law.  

2. DEFINITIONS

“Cellphone” as defined in Utah Code Ann. § 53G-7-227,

means a handheld, portable electronic device that is designed to be operated using one or both hands and is capable of transmitting and receiving voice, data, or text communication by means of:

a cellular network;

a satellite network; or

any other wireless technology;

includes:

a smartphone;

a feature phone;

a mobile phone;

a satellite phone; or

a personal digital assistant that incorporates capabilities similar to a smartphone, feature phone, mobile phone, or satellite phone.

"Classroom hours"

means, as defined in Utah Code Ann. § 53G-7-227:

time during which a student receives scheduled, teacher-supervised instruction that occurs:

in a physical or virtual classroom setting;

during regular school operating hours; and

as part of an approved educational curriculum;

includes: 

study halls and independent study time during regular school operating hours; 

does not include:

lunch periods;

recess;

transit time between classes; or

after-school activities unless part of an approved extended learning program.

“Electronic device” means a cellphone, a smart watch, or emerging technology, as defined in this policy. 

"Emerging technology" as defined in Utah Code Ann. § 53G-7-227,

means any other device that has or will be able to act in place of or as an extension of an individual's cellphone; and

does not include school provided or required devices.

"Smart watch" as defined in Utah Code Ann. § 53G-7-227,

means a wearable computing device that closely resembles a wristwatch or other time-keeping device with the capacity to act in place of or as an extension of an individual's cellphone; and

does not include a wearable device that can only:

tell time;

monitor an individual's health informatics;

receive and display notifications or information without the capability to respond; or

track the individual's physical location.

3. PERSONAL VERSUS DISTRICT-OWNED ELECTROINIC DEVICES 

A personal electronic device is any electronic device that is not owned by the district.

A district-owned electronic device is any electronic device that is owned by the district. If an electronic device has been sold through the district’s surplus process, it is no longer considered a district-owned device.

All electronic devices, personal or district-owned, that are on district property, at a district-sponsored event, or are connected to district networks or district systems must comply with the contents of this and other applicable District policies, including Policy CG, Internet Safety and Computer Use, and Policy CH, Websites and Social Media.

4. RISK OF LOSS

Personal electronic devices are susceptible to loss, theft, and damage. 

The district is not responsible for the security or safekeeping of personal electronic devices and is not financially responsible for their loss, theft, or damage. 

Students bring personal electronic devices to school at their own risk. 

5. PERMITTED USES

All Schools.

A student may use an electronic device

to respond to an imminent threat to the health or safety of an individual;

to respond to a school-wide emergency;

to use the SafeUT Crisis Line described in Utah Code Ann. § 53B-17-1201, et seq.;

for a student's IEP or Section 504 accommodation plan; or

to address a medical necessity.

Elementary Schools. 

Cell phones and smart watches are not to be used in the school building during school hours. Cell phones must be stowed away in a backpack, purse, or bag, secured by the student, and set to a mode where notifications cannot be received. While smart watches may be worn, they must also be set so that notifications cannot be sent nor received. 

If a student needs to communicate with a parent/guardian, the student may use their cell phone in either the front office or counseling office with permission. Students are only to contact parents or guardians who may be assisting them with a crisis during the school day.

Middle Schools.

Cell phones and smart watches are not to be used in the school building during school hours. Cell phones must be stowed away in a backpack, purse, or bag, secured by the student, and set to a mode where notifications cannot be received. While smart watches may be worn, they must also be set so that notifications cannot be sent nor received.

If a student needs to communicate with a parent/guardian, the student may use their cell phone in either the front office or counseling office with permission. Students are only to contact parents or guardians who may be assisting them with a crisis during the school day.

Cell phones may not be taken with students when using a hall pass, unless they are going to the office to contact their parent/caretaker. Smart watches may not be used to send or receive notifications or make phone calls when using a hall pass. 

Junior High Schools.

Cell phones and smart watches are not to be used in the school building during school hours. Cell phones must be stowed away in a backpack, purse, or bag, secured by the student, and set to a mode where notifications cannot be received. While smart watches may be worn, they must also be set so that notifications cannot be sent nor received.

If a student needs to communicate with a parent/guardian, the student may use their cell phone in either the front office or counseling office with permission. Students are only to contact parents or guardians who may be assisting them with a crisis during the school day.

Cell phones may not be taken with students when using a hall pass, unless they are going to the office to contact their parent/caretaker. Smart watches may not be used to send or receive notifications or make phone calls when using a hall pass. 

High Schools. 

Cell phones must be stowed away in a backpack, purse, or bag, secured by the student, and set to a mode where notifications cannot be received during classroom hours. While smart watches may be worn, they must also be set so that notifications cannot be sent nor received during classroom hours.

Cell phones may be used before school, after school, during class changes, and during lunch breaks.

Cell phones may not be taken with students when using a hall pass, unless they are going to the office to contact their parent/caretaker. Smart watches may not be used to send or receive notifications or make phone calls when using a hall pass.

6. PROHIBITED USES

Students shall not use electronic devices at any time or place for: (a) activities which disrupt the educational environment or significantly impair academic excellence; (b) illegal activities in violation of state or federal laws or regulations; (c) unethical activities, such as cheating on assignments or tests; (d) immoral or pornographic activities, including, but not limited to, sexting; (e) activities which threaten, humiliate, harass, or intimidate others; (f) activities in violation of Board or school policies and procedures relating to student conduct and harassment; (g) activities which invade the privacy of others; or (h) activities which constitute bullying or cyberbullying. Such student misuses will be dealt with as serious school violations, and immediate and appropriate disciplinary action will be imposed, including, but not limited to, suspension and expulsion from school.

Individual schools have the discretion to further prohibit student use of electronic devices, including during class breaks, lunch periods, or other times during school. Schools also have the discretion to designate certain times and/or areas on the school campus for student use of electronic devices during school hours. Elementary schools, middle schools, junior high schools, and high schools may adopt varying levels of use restrictions on electronic devices based upon the age and maturity of the students. 

Student use of electronic devices may be prohibited during state and federally mandated tests and assessments, unless specifically allowed by law, an IEP, a Section 504 Accommodation Plan, a Health Care Plan, or testing/assessment directions.

7. VIOLATIONS

First Violation: Depending upon the nature and seriousness of the violation and the imposition of other appropriate disciplinary action, consequences may include a requirement to place the device in a container or pouch that can be locked or relinquishment of the electronic device to the school administration and a conference between the student and school principal or assistant principal. If confiscated, the electronic device shall remain in the possession of the school administration until such time as the student personally comes to the school’s main office and retrieves the electronic device and receives a verbal warning. The administrator may also notify the parent. 

Second Violation: Depending upon the nature and seriousness of the violation and the imposition of other appropriate disciplinary action, consequences may include a requirement to place the device in a container or pouch that can be locked or relinquishment of the electronic device to the school administration and a conference between the student and his/her parent/guardian and the school principal or assistant principal. If confiscated, the electronic device shall remain in the possession of the school administration until such time as the student’s parent/guardian personally comes to the school’s main office and retrieves the electronic device and is informed of this policy and what constitutes appropriate and inappropriate uses of electronic devices.

Third Violation: Depending upon the nature and seriousness of the violation and the imposition of other appropriate disciplinary action, consequences may include a requirement to place the device in a container or pouch that can be locked or relinquishment of the electronic device to the school administration, a conference between the student and his/her parent/guardian and the school principal or assistant principal, and suspension of the student from school. If confiscated, the electronic device shall remain in the possession of the school administration until such time as the student’s parent/guardian personally comes to the school’s main office and retrieves the electronic device and is informed of this policy and what constitutes appropriate and inappropriate uses of electronic devices.

Subsequent Violations: Students who are repeat offenders of this policy shall be subject to the imposition of any appropriate disciplinary action, which may include suspension and expulsion from school.

Students and/or parents/guardians, as applicable, are expected to claim a confiscated electronic device within ten (10) days of the date it was relinquished. The school shall not be responsible, financially or otherwise, for any unclaimed electronic devices after this time period.

8. SEARCHES

Students have no expectation of privacy or confidentiality with respect to their use of electronic devices on school property.

Notwithstanding paragraph 8.1, browsing the content of a student’s phone, tablet, or other personal electronic device is considered a search and may be conducted only consistent with the reasonableness requirement outlined in Nebo School District Policy JD, Student Conduct and Discipline. Mere presence of the device, even in violation of a class or school rule, is insufficient to justify looking at the device’s content unless reasonable suspicion exists that the content itself will reveal violation of law or policy.

9. RECORDING OR STREAMING

Electronic devices with the capacity to record, stream, or otherwise transmit images or audio may not be used at any time in any school situation where a reasonable expectation of personal privacy exists. These locations and circumstances include, but are not limited to, locker rooms, shower facilities, restrooms, and any other areas where students or others may change clothes or be in any stage or degree of disrobing or changing clothes. The superintendent and building principals are authorized to determine other specific locations and situations where use of an electronic device is absolutely prohibited.

Students may not record, stream, or otherwise transmit images, videos, or audio captured with an electronic device in a way that constitutes a prohibited use under section 5 or that otherwise violates district policy. 

In addition to disciplinary action by the district, unauthorized recording or transmitting may subject a student to civil or criminal liability, including eavesdropping or invasion of privacy.