During the August 13, 2024, Board meeting, Dr. Brenda McCartney, Superintendent of Schools, shared the following update:

Our Northern High School and Southern High School leaders have been discussing the use of electronic devices during the school day. They will inform students and parents about expectations for the upcoming school year. Cell phones, smartwatches, and earbuds are to be turned off and put in a backpack or student locker during the school day at both high schools. Once students are dismissed to class in the morning until the dismissal bell in the afternoon, there are to be no devices turned on or on their person except for lunch. At lunch, students will be able to use their devices. This will allow them to contact parents during that time, as well.  

“We are making this change as we have seen an increase in cheating, filming students without permission, conflict instigation via social media, and misappropriate use of Artificial Intelligence in the past year, and much like school systems all across the country, we are trying to mitigate these issues in a reasonable manner,” said Dr. McCartney.

There is no change at other school system levels, as cell phones are not allowed during school days there.