Serving Whitman County since 1877
Serving Whitman County since 1877
A revision in the Gar-Pal student handbook for 2012-13 will change the school’s cell phone policy.
Superintendent Bev Fox announced the shift in a joint school board meeting with Garfield May 31, indicating that the policy will now be left up to individual teachers.
Fox explained that the technology of smart phones has made them useable as a tool which several teachers would permit in their classrooms.
The new statement in the handbook will read: “No electronic devices allowed without the teacher’s permission.”
Fox said that teachers have differing opinions on the matter, opinions which depend on the curriculum taught as well as general preference.
“We have had lots of discussion at the high school,” said Fox.
Board member Brenda Brown noted that she hoped teachers would make their policy known to the students from the start so there will be no confusion about which teachers will allow them.
Board member Chris Cook indicated support for the change, noting the uncharted territory.
“It’s a slippery slope, I don’t see an answer either way,” he said.
Garth Meyer is a former Whitman County Gazette reporter.
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