SULLIVAN, Ill. (WAND) - The current policy for Sullivan schools is for students to have their phones in a locker and not use them at all during the school day.Â
But the board wants to take it up a notch, as students could be required to lock their phones in a Yondr pouch during class and lunch periods.Â
"Part of it is if we are going to actually do this and pursue a different route of enforcement through a to lock device. We want to have that decision where we get all the details lined up of what that policy would look like," said Superintendent Ted Walk. Â
Some parents feel their child should be able to access their phone in case of an emergency.Â
"Exceptions always and will always be made for medical conditions," Walk said.Â
He said this proposal could help prepare kids for their adult lives.Â
"That personal responsibility we talked about, we are teaching kids to become adults. We do want to take them from when we get them here," Walk said. Â
Some board members question whether the cell-phone ban will truly prepare high school students for adulthood.Â
"I struggle to understand how a senior high school can enlist in the military, can drive a car, can vote, but cannot be trusted to manage a cell phone. That's troubling to me," said Vice President Zachary Horn.Â
The board did not vote on the proposal during the meeting. If the proposal passes, the board will adopt the policy in the school handbook in July.
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