The Hamilton County School Board’s regular meeting on February 20 addressed several issues of interest to parents. The ongoing discussion centered around the proposal to prohibit cell phones in schools during the academic day, and there was a pause in the rollout of a student app for mental health services.
During the full meeting, board members shared various anecdotal situations highlighting both the benefits and disruptions caused by students having cell phone access during school hours. Some board members cited examples of class disruptions due to selective enforcement of rules by teachers and principals, which do not sufficiently address the issue of students using cellular devices during class time.
There was a consensus among all attendees that teachers face challenges in maintaining students’ attention while they receive notifications from social media platforms and texts. Board members reported receiving numerous calls from teachers requesting a complete ban on devices in the classroom.
Board Member Jackie Thomas of District 4 succinctly summarized the difficulty: “The problem right now is that people are not holding students to the same standard. Are the teachers and principals not addressing it, and kids are doing whatever they want to do?”
It is evident that if cell phone use is currently prohibited during class but still occurs, the issue lies in students’ disregard for authority and existing rules, necessitating reinforcement by parents at home and enforcement in schools during incidents. Board Member Karista Mosely-Jones of District 5 posed an important question regarding the efficacy of a ban if the current policy is already being disregarded or selectively enforced.
Parents are encouraged to share their opinions with their school board members as the proposal to ban cell phones during the school day has been returned to committee for further policy discussion. It is also an opportune time to discuss the primary purpose of school time, which is to provide academic instruction for students’ best futures.
Prior to the regular meeting, the work session agenda included a presentation by Dr. Sonia Stewart, which resulted in a temporary halt to the rollout of an app designed to be available to students on their Chromebooks.
The HELPme App, developed by STOPit Solutions out of New Jersey, is proposed to give students individual access via their computer to three types of support. According to the company’s website, the app was initially created to address cyberbullying and has expanded to serve as a resource for students, parents, school staff, and counselors. Students would have digital access to self-help through preloaded links and phone numbers, a 24/7 crisis line offering immediate support, and a two-way communication feature for counseling and assistance.
Concerns about student privacy and data protection with the app, available via both the Google Play and Apple app stores, remain valid and require careful consideration. Parents are encouraged to appreciate their school board representation and communicate with them regarding these important issues.