As a concerned parent of two daughters who attend public schools, I am disturbed by the planned daily confiscation of students' phones. These devices are a key communication tool, particularly in the case of emergencies. With an increasing prevalence of unpredictable events, fears about school violence are a genuine concern (American Psychological Association, 2018). It is a stark reality that we live in an era where our children may have critical need for immediate communication, particularly in potentially dangerous situations.  

In 2023 alone there were nearly 350 shootings in schools. This is not the same world we grew up in. When emergency situations happen not everyone is with a teacher or in a classroom. As a parent i do not want my child to be the one left alone without a way to call for help. 

In Bennington County, schools plan to confiscate and lock away phones daily in the very near future . This practice denies our children the ability to alert us when they feel unsafe or are faced with danger without having to locate a special magnet to unlock the case holding their device. (each locking case costing $25-$30 PER student) It's not just a matter of parental peace of mind—this controversy brings forth serious constitutional questions. The Fourth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution maintains citizens' right to be free from 'unlawful seizures'. Are these confiscations not a clear violation of that right?

School board member Katie Campbell Aiken said today “Speaking as an MAU School Board member, we welcome and encourage input from the community. This topic will be on the agenda at our next public meeting on 9/18 at SVSU and all are welcome to attend either in person or virtually.” 

I urge parents to attend the meeting so we can help in finding a better solution 

This petition seeks to address two primary issues: firstly, the urgent need for students to have immediate access to their parents via cellphone in case of emergencies, and secondly, the potential unconstitutionality of the current seizure practice. Let us come together to promote safety and the preservation of rights in our schools. Please sign this petition to ensure that our children can access their cellphones when needed.