Panhandle schools to confiscate cell phones
PENSACOLA (AP) – Panhandle school officials have found a simple but novel solution to cell phones interruptions: Confiscation.
The Escambia County School District previously issued suspensions for cell phone violations, but that didn’t seem to work. Last year there were 2,000 suspensions for cell phones, by far the biggest disciplinary problem.
Now, teachers are being instructed to take the devices on the first offense and call a parent to retrieve the phone.
“They didn’t care about being suspended. It wasn’t a strong enough threat,” Superintendent Malcolm Thomas said. “But taking away their cell phone and having mom come pick it up no kid wants that to happen.”
The district can’t simply ban cell phones, because state law allows students to carry them. The Legislature enacted the rule in 2004, because of the possibility they could help in a school shooting and the need for kids to contact working parents.
“I don’t think you can be against them really. Parents do like to have cell phones with their kids,” said Kathie Lasky, Escambia County PTA president.
Students say it’s not just about goofing off.
“If an accident happens or someone is trying to beat you up at school, you should be able to call your parents,” said Caleb Lalas, a 12-year-old in seventh grade at Bailey Middle School. “A lot of times during school kids do text, but I think the rules are right now, where we should just turn them off.