Use or Possession of Electronic Community Devices 5136
(POLICY #5136) It is the policy of the Shawano School District to restrict the use of personal cell phones and other electronic equipment. Students may use personal communication devices (PCDs) before and after school, during their lunch break, in between classes as long as they do not create a distraction, disruption or otherwise interfere with the educational environment as approved by the building principal.
However, technology including, but not limited to, PCDs intended and actually used for instructional purposes (e.g., taking notes, recording classroom lectures, writing papers) will be permitted, as approved by the classroom teacher or the building principal. The use of a PCD to engage in non-education-related communications is expressly prohibited.
PCDs, with cameras or any other recording capabilities, may not be activated or utilized at any time in any school situation where a reasonable expectation of personal privacy exists. These locations and circumstances include, but are not limited to, classrooms, gymnasiums, locker rooms, shower facilities, rest/bathrooms, and any other areas where students or others may change clothes or be in any stage or degree of disrobing or changing clothes. The District Administrator and building principals are authorized to determine other specific locations and situations where use of a PCD is absolutely prohibited.
Students shall have no expectation of confidentiality with respect to their use of PCDs on school premises/property.
The Board recognizes that our electronic communications system (network) will allow unprecedented opportunities for students, to communicate, learn access and publish information. The Board believes that the resources available through this network and the skills that students will develop in using it are of significant value in the learning process and success in the future. These new opportunities also pose many new challenges including, but not limited to, access for all students, age-level appropriateness of material, security and cost of maintaining systems. The District will endeavor to make certain that these concerns are appropriately addressed, but cannot ensure that problems will not arise.