503.9 - Use of Personal Electronic Devices by Students

It is the policy of the Central City Community School District that students may not use personal electronic devices during classroom instructional time.

 

Definitions

For purposes of this policy, a “personal electronic device” is a device that is used by a student to send or receive information or create or review content, including cellular and mobile phones, watches or other wearable devices in a receive or transmit mode, laptop or notebook computers, tablets, video game devices, portable media players, and any applications or programs installed by the student on a school-owned or issued device. A “personal electronic device” does not include a device possessed by the student for documented legal, health, and safety purposes and used solely for those purposes.

The “school day” is defined as once the first bell rings until the end of day school bell minus lunch period.

“Instructional time” is any time during which a student is under the guidance and supervision of licensed instructional staff or instructional assistants, including independent study time (study hall and homeroom) during the school day.

 

General Rules

The following are the district-provided educational technologies and devices that will be made available to students for instructional purposes: iPads, MacBooks.

A student’s personal electronic device may be used for instructional purposes under the following conditions: a member of the school’s instructional staff permits use of personal electronic devices for a specific instructional purpose or activity or a course policy, syllabus, or handbook indicates that personal electronic devices are permitted in the course for a specific purpose or purposes (i.e. journalism class, writing apps, etc.) An educator is required to notify the building principal of the use of a personal device for a specific learning activity, experience, or outcome, documented in a lesson plan or course outline.

Students who require the use of a personal device for Kirkwood classes are required to notify the monitor of their usage.  Personal device usage must be limited to specific instructions by the Kirkwood instructor.

A parent or guardian may communicate with a student through their school office. If there is an emergency requiring the student’s immediate attention, a parent or guardian may contact the school or district office. In the event of an emergency, the school will contact the parent or guardian by the method most recently listed by the parent in the school’s student information system immediately when it becomes safe to do so. In the event of an emergency involving the broader school community, the school will contact parents and guardians through School Messenger.

A student’s personal electronic device, not otherwise allowed to be used under this policy, must be securely stored at all times out of sight, (on their person, in lockers, in backpacks). Personal electronic devices must be off or on silent during instructional periods throughout the school day.

 

Violations of Policy

When cell phone violations occur, students will be expected to surrender their devices to school staff. Students are encouraged to power off devices. Failure to comply will result in further disciplinary action in addition to the personal electronic device infraction. Parents/guardians will be notified of the date and time student personal electronic devices have been surrendered to the school office.

For the first offense of the personal electronic device policy in a semester, the student will surrender the device to school staff, and will be returned to the student at the end of the school day. Confiscated devices will be logged and secured in the school office.

 

For the second offense of the personal electronic device policy in a semester, the student will surrender the device to school staff, and will be returned to a parent, guardian or their designee who is not the “owner” of the personal device.  Confiscated devices will be logged and secured in the school office.

For third or subsequent offenses, a parent / guardian meeting will be held and additional consequences will be applied,  including further restrictions on the student’s use of personal electronic devices. Student may no longer be permitted to have personal electronic devices on their person during the school day.

If the student uses a personal electronic device during the administration of any assessment, the student will be required to retake the assessment and will also face the consequences identified in the prior paragraph. If the student uses a personal electronic device in a state or federal mandated assessment, the school will follow any protocols for that assessment’s security.

 

Student-Specific Exceptions to Policy Petition by Parent or Guardian

A parent or guardian of a student may petition to allow their child to maintain access to a personal electronic device for a legitimate reason related to the student’s physical or mental health, based on the unique facts of the student’s case. The petition shall be addressed to the building principal. If not granted, a parent or guardian may appeal to the superintendent or designee, whose decision shall be final. A parent or guardian has the burden of providing a legitimate reason for allowing the child to maintain access to a personal electronic device contrary to Central City CSD’s policy.

 

Student Plans

A student who has a current Individualized Education Program, a plan under section 504 of the federal Rehabilitation Act, or health plan may maintain access to a personal device during an appropriate portion of the school day as documented in the plan. The device should be used solely in the manner necessary and documented.

 

Legal Reference:  Iowa Code section 279.87
                                       Iowa Code section 279.8

Approved: 8/13/25
Reviewed:
Revised: