Board of Education Revise Cell Phone Policy

Courtsey of WRBE, "Your Hometown Radio"
The George County Board of Education District Office was filled with concerned parents on Thursday evening requesting clarification on the “no tolerance” cell phone policy and expressing concerns.
At their first-of-the-month meeting, the Board of Education
heard from several concerned parents including parent representative Vickie Moore, who asked the board to explain the wording in the new policy, which the parents of high school students recently received at registration and orientation. This explanation led to other parent expressing concern with the “no tolerance” policy for after school activities and events. Several of the parents expressed they totally agreed with the “no tolerance” policy during instructional hours but had concerns with activities held beyond regular school hours, such as What time to pick their child up after practice or what time to meet buses after an event. Parent Melissa Garretson said that the teens “should be taught responsibility” in reference to cell phone use and a compromise should be reachable for students who can make responsible decision with a cell phone.
Superintendent Donnie Howell suggested purchasing additional cell phones to be used by students when a land line is not available.
After debating for more than an hour, Board Member Larry McDonald made a motion that cell phones would not be allowed during instructional hours but students could be allowed to have cell phones for after school activities, the motion pasted with a 4-1 vote, with David Nelson voting against.
Later in the meeting Nelson expressed concerns in favor of purchasing the additional cell phones to be used by student to contact parents, when land line phones are not available. The recommendation, made by Superintendent Howell did past. Parents with students in after school activities, will be able to obtain contact numbers for the cell phones to be used by the students.
The “no tolerance” cell phone policy during school hours states that any cell phone found will be taken by school officials for one calendar year.
During the meeting on Thursday evening, a discipline policy was added, which states students caught with cell phones will serve “in house” suspension for 3 day, first offense; 5 days, second offense and 45 days alternative school for third offense. Any child refusing to give up the phone will be expelled. The discipline policy past with a 4-1 vote, Larry McDonald voting against.
Other board action, included the hiring of a Hattiesburg Company to perform random drug testing; the approval of $3,100 to assist with a Baseball Boosters project; and the approval for the construction of a filming tower at the practice field at George County High School.