Cell phone ban returns to schools

Deirdre Newman

The incessant ringing of a cell phone can be a major nuisance. But

the phones provide a sense of security that has no equal among

electronic devices.

Until Wednesday, cell phones were banned on school campuses

statewide. But now that Gov. Gray Davis has signed a bill repealing

the ban, school boards will have to navigate a policy that bridges

the positive and negative aspects of the electronic devices.

The Newport-Mesa Unified School District has its own policy

forbidding cell phones, pagers and other electronic accessories at

schools because of their disruptiveness. But many students

surreptitiously take phones to school, some principals and parents

admit.

Some parents say they would like to see the trustees adopt a

policy that enables students to bring cell phones to school without

fear of repercussion as long as they use them respectfully.

“It obviously can’t be used during instructional time, but as a

parent, I think it’s really helpful to have a cell phone as a safety

net, so I would say if they were able to limit it to before and after

school and certain times of day, that should be fine,” said Jill

Money, a Corona del Mar parent.

Michael Vossen, principal of Newport Harbor High School, said

continuing the ban would be unrealistic, but he expressed concerns

that teachers have regarding their use in the classroom.

“Knowing the majority of kids have them already, certainly I would

not want to see them banned,” Vossen said. “But I do think schools

should be allowed to not let them be turned on during class hours.

It’s disruptive.”

Trustee Wendy Leece said she would like to see the board make a

decision on cell phones a high priority.

“We need to put this on a front burner to decide what we want to

do and not just have pandemonium with kids talking to all sort of

their friends and not focusing on education,” Leece said. “It’s an

urgent thing.”

* DEIRDRE NEWMAN covers education. She may be reached at (949)

574-4221 or by e-mail at deirdre.newman@latimes.com.