Did you know that you have rights? Well the Student Handbook says you do.

Due to the recent passage of Minnesota Statute 121A.73, South Washington County Schools (SoWashCo) has updated it's policy regarding cell phones. This law requires school districts to establish and implement a clear and comprehensive cell phone policy.

The currently enforced policy in the high schools (East Ridge High School & Park High School) is a no-possession based policy, which requires cell phones & other "E-Devices" to be placed in a caddy for the duration of the class period.

This so called "policy" is NOWHERE to be found, and is unable to be accessed by the students. (Which used to be required in earlier provisions of the law but is no longer required, still should be accessible though)

 

 

The ACTUAL policy for SoWashCo High School Students (9-12) is based upon a "Time and Place" mentality. Specifically it states:

"High School (grades 9-12+): Cell phone use is not allowed in classrooms/instructional spaces, including the media center. Cell phone use is allowed during passing time, at lunch, before and after school"

 

 

This has ZERO mention of revoking possession or requiring the use of phone caddies. This caddy based policy is similar to the policy of the ELEMENTARY & MIDDLE SCHOOLS

 

 

Despite the similarities, even this policy still has ZERO mention of phone caddies.

Now when you mention or ask any staff/faculty about the policy or law mandating these caddies/enforced policy they will generally provide you with these responses:

1. "It is a state law"
2. "It is district policy"
3. "It is mandated by administration"

The first two of these responses is FALSE. As outlined previously it is NOT a state law, NOR a district policy. The only conclusion is that this is being UNPROPERLY enforced by school administration. (This is of course speculation, as well as if this would be intentional or unintentional)

Respectfully, this petition as well as the SoWashCo student body request that the ACTUAL phone policy as outlined in our student handbooks is the one that is enforced.

Links

• SoWashCo Families Post
• SoWashCo Student Handbook 2024 Cell Phone Guidelines
• Minnesota Statute 121A.73
• The Statute As Introduced