Dist. 204 bans file-sharing devices from its schools

Indian Prairie students may soon be marching to their beats - literally - as the district moves to ban all mp3 players, cameras and other file-sharing devices from middle school and high school campuses.

Principals asked the board for the ban Monday so it can be printed in next year's student handbooks.

The ban was listed in the current handbooks, but district policy did not match. Administrators have asked the board to change the district policy to match the handbook.

"Our goal is to include iPods and gaming devices into our current policy because we're starting to see that they're having a larger impact both instructionally and on the safety of students in regards to bullying," said Kevin Myers, director of secondary education.

Currently the district allows students to carry cell phones as long as they are off and out of sight during school.

"I understand the use of cell phones, but why do kids need to be plugged in at school anyway?" asked board member Dawn DeSart. "Why can't you just leave your iPod or gaming device at home? I'm an old lady, so I just don't understand why we need to be connected 24/7."

Board President Curt Bradshaw, who said he would have liked more time to study the issue, said the district eventually will have a tough time enforcing the ban on electronics.

"The reality in today's world is that all of those functionalities are being funneled into one device anyway. So I don't think we can escape the fact that if we allow a phone, we're allowing (other uses)," Bradshaw said.

Board Vice President Alka Tyle said she has studied several other board policies from across the country and supports an all-out ban.

"It's a fact that across the country, the use of these devices has caused disruptions and resulted in an increase of threatening and inappropriate communications," Tyle said. "I think it's a huge distraction on the learning environment, and I think it behooves us to support the staff in ways we can that I think are fair to both students and staff to create a better learning environment. Students have plenty of time outside of school to listen to their music."

Not everyone was on board, however, as Mark Metzger said he was "wildly opposed" to such a ban and said educators need to be challenged to incorporate the technology into their teachings in order to better communicate with students.

"Recognize students are using this type of equipment because they find it useful in more and more ways, so it falls on us to reach them using the tools that they like to use," Metzger said. "In education, we do a remarkable job preparing our children for our past. So the question becomes how do we engage them in a different way? Not by taking things away."

Neuqua Valley Principal Bob McBride said he's discussed the change with students and he thinks they'll adapt.

"The more we explain to students the rationale behind limits to electronic devices on campus, especially bell-to-bell, safety issues, limiting bullying - kids might not agree, but at least they understand," McBride said.

Board members are expected to continue refining the language of the policy in coming months and to make changes to next year's handbooks.