DANVILLE — Danville Local School students will no longer be able to use cell phones during the school day.

Danville Board of Education approved an amended version of its student cell phone policy at Monday’s meeting.

“In order to avoid disruption of the educational environment and protect students’ right of privacy, student use during school hours is prohibited,” the amended student cell phone policy now states.

“Students may bring PCDs (personal communication devices) on school grounds. However, they will be powered off and securely stored in a PCD/cell phone storage device which will be provided by the district.”

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Students may not use PCDs on school property or at a school-sponsored activity to access and/or view Internet websites that are otherwise blocked to students at school, according to the student cell phone policy.

Also amended to the policy, a student may keep his/her PCD “On” with prior approval from the principal (i.e. device prescribed by a licensed medical professional to monitor a medical condition.)

The policy goes into effect next school year, Superintendent Jason Snively said.

Cell phone policy survey sent to parents + staff

Danville Local School administration sent a survey on April 24, asking parents cell phone-related questions. One hundred forty-one responded. Twenty-seven for staff.

  • I support a ban on student cell phone usage that does not allow students to access their phones or PCDs during school hours 7:45 – 3 p.m.
    • 58.16% | 82 people say Yes
    • 41.84% | 59 people say No
  • If students bring a cell phone or PCD into the school I would support the following protocol to eliminate any distractions during the school day.
    • 36.17% | 51 people say to keep the device in a locker.
    • 46.1% | 65 people say to keep the device on and ‘silenced,’ but out of sight at all times.
    • 19.15% | 27 people say to turn off the device from 7:45 a.m. to 3 p.m.
    • 27.66% | 36 people say to submit the device to a teacher upon entering all classrooms.
    • 17.73% | 25 people say to keep the device contained in the classrooms that disable service.
    • 9.93% | 14 say other
  • If students violate any policy prohibiting the use of the devices, I support the following consequences. After the first offense, the school will only return devices to a parent or guardian during school hours.
    • 68.09% | 96 say confiscate the device for the rest of the day.
    • 15.6% | 22 people say confiscate the device for one full day.
    • 15.6% | 22 people say confiscate the device for three full days.
    • 7.09% | 10 people say confiscate the device for the rest of the current school year.
    • 15.6% | 22 people say to assign the student an in-school suspension.
    • 4.26% | Six people say to assign the student an out-of-school suspension.
  • When do you feel it is appropriate for students to have access to their cell phones at school?
    • 6.38% | Nine people say during academic classes
    • 70.21% | 99 people say during lunch
    • 40.43% | 57 people say between class periods
    • 35.46% | 50 people say during study halls / academic focus
    • 21.99% | 31 people say never

School Staff response

  • I support a ban on student cell phone usage that does not allow students to access their phones or PCDs during school hours 7:45 – 3 p.m.
    • 100% | 27 say yes
    • 0% | Zero say no
  • If students bring a cell phone or PCD into the school I would support the following protocol to eliminate any distractions during the school day.
    • 48.15% | 13 people say to keep the device in a locker.
    • 22.22% | Six people say to keep the device on and ‘silenced,’ but out of sight at all times.
    • 40.74% | 11 people say to turn off the device from 7:45 a.m. to 3 p.m.
    • 40.74% | 11 people say to submit the device to a teacher upon entering all classrooms.
    • 44.44% | 12 people say to keep the device contained in the classrooms that disable service.
  • If students violate any policy prohibiting the use of the devices, I support the following consequences. After the first offense, the school will only return devices to a parent or guardian during school hours.
    • 77.78% | 21 say confiscate the device for the rest of the day.
    • 48.15% | 13 people say confiscate the device for one full day.
    • 18.52% | Five people say confiscate the device for three full days.
    • 3.7% | One person says to confiscate the device for the rest of the current school year.
    • 18.52% | Five people say to assign the student an in-school suspension.
    • 3.7% | One person says to assign the student an out-of-school suspension.
  • When do you feel it is appropriate for students to have access to their cell phones at school?
    • 0% | Zero people say during academic classes
    • 62.96% | 17 people say during lunch
    • 7.41% | Two people say between class periods
    • 7.41% | Two people say during study halls / academic focus
    • 37.04% | Ten people say never