Madison Metropolitan School District
Board of Education Policies and Procedures

POLICY	POSSESSION OF A PERSONAL ELECTRONIC DEVICE	4403 Pupils

Possession of a Personal Electronic Device

1. Pupils are permitted to possess a cellular phone, personal digital assistant, personal music/video/gaming device, camera, or other personal electronic device with communications functions or the capability to capture/record voice or image information, (collectively within this Policy, "Device" or "Devices"), provided that the Device remains stored, powered off, and unused (1) throughout the entirety of the educational day that has been established for the applicable school, (2) in a school bathroom, locker room, or other dressing area at any time, and (3) at such other times as have been identified in advance by a school-issued policy, rule or directive. Such a Device shall be considered stored if it is outside of view and reasonably secured in a locker, backpack/purse, or pocket. Any headphone, ear piece, or similar equipment associated with a Device shall also be stored and not worn.
2. Any pupil who possesses or uses a Device and/or associated equipment that is not stored, that is not powered off, or in a manner that violates this Board Policy or any other policy or school rule shall be subject to consequences, including, but not necessarily limited to, disciplinary action, required surrender of the Device, and/or potentially having his/her right to possess a Device at school further restricted by the school PRINCIPAL or his/her designee. In any case where a Device is confiscated by a school, the Device shall be returned to the pupil or to a parent/guardian at an appropriate time.
3. Pupils who possess a Device do so at their own risk to possible loss, damage or liability.
4. The following situations represent limited exceptions to Paragraphs 1 and 2 of this Policy:
   1. If a school PRINCIPAL or his/her designee determines that a Device was used appropriately by a pupil in an emergency situation, the school shall not discipline the pupil for such possession/use.
   2. An individual pupil, or parent or guardian on behalf of an individual pupil, may request permission in advance from the pupil's school PRINCIPAL or his/her designee to possess and use a Device for a medical, educational, or other legitimate purpose that the PRINCIPAL/designee determines is necessary for the pupil's education. This shall include one-time permissions that are granted by a staff member with authority from the PRINCIPAL/designee to an individual pupil to make a specific telephone call or other specific communication.
   3. For an educational or other legitimate purpose, a PRINCIPAL or his/her designee may authorize in advance the limited use of a Device by pupils during the school's educational day in a manner that is otherwise prohibited under Paragraph 1 of this Policy, with the following limitations:
      1. No exception to Paragraph 1 may be authorized under Sub-paragraph 4.c as applied to the use of any Device's communications functions during the school's educational day.
      2. No exception to Paragraph 1 may be authorized under Sub-paragraph 4.b or under Sub-paragraph 4.c with respect to the possession or use of any Device in a school bathroom, locker room, or other dressing area.
   4. The PRINCIPAL or his/her designee shall determine whether the possession and use of a Device is within the scope of any advance authorization.
   5. The school PRINCIPAL, an ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENT, or the SUPERINTENDENT shall have discretion to prospectively revoke any prior authorization that operated as a limited exception to Paragraph 1 and Paragraph 2 of this Policy.
5. Pupils shall annually be provided with a copy of the rules that govern the possession and use of the Devices covered by this Policy.
6. Nothing within this Policy shall be construed to limit a pupil's ability to use a Device in a manner that functions as assistive technology necessary for a pupil's education and that is required under an Individualized Education Plan or a Section 405 agreement.

6/2/08

PROCEDURE	POSSESSION OF A PERSONAL ELECTRONIC DEVICE	4403 Pupils

Possession of a Personal Electronic Device

All students who violate this policy may be subject to disciplinary action up to and including expulsion.

8/26/02

Last Updated: Thu Aug 7 13:47:38 2008
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