Watonga Schools Introduce New Electronics Policy

The Watonga School District is making a major change to its electronics device policy beginning with the start of the school year on Thursday (Aug. 11).

In a letter dated Aug. 2 this year and sent out to students and parents, they were advised that during class students may not use their phones, air pods, Bluetooth headphones, or smart watches.

The new policy states that cell phones must be turned off and stored during the entirety of the day with the only exception to those specified times when students may use them.

School Superintendent Kyle Hilterbran explained the reasoning for the new policy which significantly differs from last year. During the last school year, 'students were allowed use their phones in class and when they finished their assignment. This year, when they finish their assignment, they should be reading a book or need to be extending their leaning,' he added.

'Our leadership team feels it's in the best interest of student learning. Our school board has provided over the last few years, the funds where every student has a Chromebook and has the devices they need,' Hilterbran said.

'Parents can contact our office to get in touch with their child. We don't need cell phones in the classrooms or in the hallways. They need to be getting to class. They may not be used in restrooms either,' he noted Hilterbran pointed to the times students may access their phones, including before school, at breakfast and lunch and after school.

'Those are privileges for our students. If they start taking advantage of those which cause disruptions, we'll take away those privileges,' the superintendent stated.

Elaborating, Hilterbran said, 'If they misuse the phones during times not allowed, we'll take away those privileges also,' he reiterated.

High School Principal Todd Overstreet, Middle School Principal Ty Hussey, and Elementary Principal Ashley Stewart point out in the letter 'that if there is a medical reason to use a cell phone, that may be allowed per a 504 or health plan, with prior approval.'

The letter notes, too, that parents can contact the office to relay messages to students or reach their student by email in grades 6-12.

The letter stresses, also, the new policy is intended to reduce distractions from student learning, prevent students from taking pictures and videos of each other in class and help reduce bullying on social media as well.

Consequences for violations of the new policy are provided in the school handbook.