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Cell phone rules for students may get tougher

By Jared Felkins
The Times-Journal

Published March 31, 2009

DeKalb County schools students may soon have tougher rules regarding bringing cell phones, including possible prosecution.

Superintendent Charles Warren said cell phones are becoming an increasing problem at schools for several reasons.

“We’ve had cheating on tests, including standardized tests,” Warren said. “We’ve had students texting other students pictures of students dressing out and in the bathroom. We also had a student call in a bomb threat at one school. We’ve had students with pornographic pictures on cell phones.”

Ider principal Steve Street agreed.

“It’s a big problem here. I’m not naive enough to know they aren’t here,” Street said. “We have a problem with students texting. You are always worried about students sending inappropriate pictures or using cell phones to cheat on tests. It’s a real headache.”

Warren said he plans to present a new cell phone policy at the DeKalb County Board of Education meeting on April 21 at 5 p.m. at the Materials/Facilities Building in Rainsville.

The policy replaces students being suspended for cell phones with the phones being confiscated and held by the principal for 30 days. If passed by the board, it would take effect at the start of the upcoming school year.

“If we catch a student in possession of a cell phone at school, we are going to take possession of the phone,” Warren said. “We are going to look at the contents of the phone, and if there is any questionable material on there, we will turn it over to law enforcement. That is what I am proposing. Our attorney tells us we have that legal authority.”

Warren said he hopes to get parents’ support on the policy change.

“A lot of parents don’t understand why we don’t want cell phones at schools,” Warren said. “What we are trying to stress is that this is becoming a real issue. Our policy says we don’t allow cell phones at school unless there is permission from a principal due to a medical need.

“Certainly the parents can help tremendously. To me, it’s not too much to ask for parents to regulate cell phone use among their children.”

Currently, Street said he offers a bit of leniency when a cell phone is found. He said he would like to see a revised policy that has a little more teeth in it.

“I take them up and a parent has to come and get it the first time,” Street said. “The student is suspended for one day the second time. There are times when there are seven or eight phones on my desk at one time.”

And for students who are found with illicit or questionable material on their phones, the phone will be turned over to law enforcement.

“If we are presented with pictures of naked underage minors, we will request an investigation,” said DeKalb Assistant District Attorney Jeremy Taylor. “If the investigation proves so, we will bring charges. It’s the same law that falls under child pornography.

“Minors, when they go to school, have a reduced expectation of privacy. If we are presented with evidence, we will prosecute.”

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