By Christian Coffman

The Natchez Democrat

NATCHEZ — The Natchez-Adams School District is putting teeth in its policy concerning electronic devices on school campuses.

The school board recently discussed how cellphones have become a challenge with not just students.

“There’s a problem when you walk into a classroom, and the teacher’s cellphone is laying on the desk,” Superintendent Fred Butcher said. “You’ve got to look at both sides of the coin.”

Butcher informed the board that the reform to the current electronic device policy would apply to students, teachers and all school employees.

The biggest change to the policy for the upcoming year refers to the possession of cellphones on campus.

Deputy Superintendent Zandra McDonald said if students want to have cellphones in their possession, then those cellphones must be turned off and stored in a purse or backpack.

The previous school policy allowed cellphones on campus but did not require them to be turned off. This year’s policy stipulates that cellphones be turned off at all times from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m, and are not to be used for personal reasons.

“We know that cellphones are a staple for everyone, but we need to set guidelines in place so that they don’t impede the instruction and management of our school district,” McDonald said.

Use of cellphones will be allowed under specific instances as determined by school principals. Phones and other electronic devices will be allowed for educational purpose with teacher and administrator permission.

Students caught violating the policy as it applies to personal use will first have their phone or other electronic device confiscated. Any student’s refusal to surrender their device will be viewed as insubordination, and appropriate disciplinary procedures will apply.

For an initial violation, all forfeited devices will go to the school office for a parent to retrieve after seven days or pay a $25 penalty. Fines and disciplinary procedures increase with multiple violations.

All confiscated devices will be returned only to parents or guardians.

Improper use of electronic devices includes but is not limited to recording and transmitting campus activities or fights, bullying, posting to social media during class and violating the privacy of others.

McDonald said controlling the use of electronic devices on campuses is a constant battle.

“We would hope that all students would use their cellphones wisely, but we have had incidents where phones have been used to bully, to post things to social media that are not appropriate,” McDonald said. “Those are the things that we are trying to avoid for our students.”

School board vice president Thelma Newsome said that other districts had found students using cellphones to take pictures of their tests.

“If I go to your first period and take a picture of the test, then I can send it to all of my buddies … they’ll know what the test is about,” Newsome said.

“I know that a lot of people say that since (children use cellphones) so much they should be allowed to have them, but when you hear some of the horror stories associated with the students and what they’ve been allowed and not allowed to do openly and then go back and (break the rules again) … then we’re liable for this,” Newsome said.