United principal says policy on phones valid
By LEONARD GLENN CRIST
POSTED: May 9, 2008
HANOVERTON — High School Principal William Young told the United Local Board of Education the district’s personal electronics policy is operating within the law.
Young attended an Ohio School Board Association workshop on personal electronic devices, such as cell phones, pagers and laptops. The workshop was held in Columbus Thursday morning. He reported to the board at its regular meeting Thursday night.
Young said he had an extended conversation with the attorney who presented the workshop. The attorney said the district’s personal electronics policy is legal.
Questions were raised in a Lisbon Morning Journal article last month when Lindsay Buckley, a high school senior, claimed the school violated her constitutional rights after an administrator confiscated her cell phone and then read text messages contained on the phone.
Young and Superintendent Tom Davis said they could not comment on specifics regarding Buckley’s situation because it is a confidential disciplinary matter.
Buckley has filed no formal complaints regarding the incident, Davis said.
Cell phone use is banned in the school, Young said. If a student is seen with a cell phone, the phone will be confiscated, the student will receive detention and a parent must pick up the phone, Young said.
Generally, the contents of a confiscated cell phone are not read, Young said. Administrators, however, may read text messages and other contents if drug use is suspected or if there is a threat of violence, harm or suicide. Such situations are rare, Young said.
In a situation where a cell phone may be digitally locked and administrators feel the contents need to be read, Young said police would be contacted.
The attorney at the workshop suggested United adopt certain language in its policy manual to better protect the district should a legal challenge arise, Young said.
Also at the meeting, Treasurer Kathy Davies said insurance will reimburse the district for the cost of repairs to a failing wall in its gymnasium. The district will pay a $2,500 deductible.
Leonard Glenn Crist can be reached at lcrist@salemnews.net
