Pocono News Section

Central Columbia Cell Phone Policy

Central Columbia Cell Phone Policy - Monday, January 19, 2009 at 4:52PM EST

Monday, Jan 19, 2009 @ 04:52pm EST

The Central Columbia school district is taking strict measures against students who use their cell phones during class.

The new cell phone policy is on tonight's school board meeting agenda.

Central Columbia schools want students to turn their cell phones off.

"During class, that time is sacred," says superintendent Harry Mathias.

Mathias says the school board is proposing a new penalty for repeat cell phone offenders: 3 days in school suspension.

"What's happening today is instead of writing the note, we are texting the note and receiving it back and forth. So I think it's the same nuisance that was occurring forever. "

Mathias says a student recently used a cell phone to take a picture of a test.

That makes some students agree with the proposed penalties.

Central Columbia senior Tabetha Hoffman says, "Taking pictures of tests, i think it's wrong. I'm kind of lenient on cell phones a little bit but it should have steeper penalties."

Central Columbia 8th grader Taylor Barnes says, "The school has phones for you in the school and cell phones aren't really needed while school's going on."

Right now students can bring cell phones to school but have to keep them in lockers or vehicles.

Junior Caroline Prusak says that policy should be less strict.

Prusak says, "If something were to happen my mom wouldn't think of calling the school she would think of, out of habit, calling my cell phone or texting my cell phone. If something like an emergency happened."

There are some exceptions.

Students part of volunteer fire departments can carry beepers.

Same goes if students have parents with a severe medical condition.

Freshman Cassidy Stout says, "I think as long as they're off and it isn't causing a problem I think it's fine."

The school board meeting is scheduled for 6 o'clock Monday night at the Central Columbia administration building.