BETHEL — The MSAD44 school board’s Dec. 16 meeting saw a continuation into the discussion of what should be done with cell phones during school hours. This issue was raised and discussed at a meeting, where potential regulations were discussed and work shopped. During this meeting, the new revised wording was brought to the school board for consideration.

At the school board meeting, the question of student and public response was brought up. Superintendent of Schools Mark Kenney said that he had “not been contacted by anybody” with regard to complaints about the current policy practice, which has been implemented experimentally at the high school level. “Since our workshop, nothing has come up,” he said.

The new wording changes the list of devices to simply “personal electronic devices”. The rules regarding punishment and instructions with regard to use of cell phones was moved to the student handbook. The hope is that by moving it under the handbook’s jurisdiction, this allows for more frequent updates of the policy should it be necessary.

The wording also specifies that “students at the elementary and middle school levels are prohibited from using privately-owned electronic devices during school or at school activities during the school day except when the teacher or building principal authorizes use for a specific educational, health or safety purpose.”

Meanwhile, the wording for the high school is that students “are allowed to use privately-owned electronic devices at the discretion of the school administration.” These separate categories are both new additions to the policy previously established.

Scott Cole, member of the school board, was opposed to allowing cell phones in school at all. Having previously voiced his disapproval at the workshop, he continued at the meeting.

“There ought to be a sanctuary of education,” he said. He called the proposed rules “a concession to technology,” and expressed concerns that it may impact student learning, saying. “We’re embracing mediocrity over excellence.”

Despite the opposition, the new ruling was put into effect with only one vote in opposition. Scott himself voted in favor, expressing that he didn’t want to “go against the herd.” However, he encouraged other board members to consider his viewpoint, and aid him in his support for stricter cell phone rules.