Phones a problem? Enforce the rules.

It's unlikely that any of the provisions listed in the June 9 article titled, "(Indian Prairie) Dist. 204 bans file-sharing devices from its schools," will be successful in addressing the problems currently facing the district.

If the abuses are as out of control as the article suggests, a ban may be appropriate, but where will the district draw the line? Phones, many of which have the capabilities to take photos, transmit data, store music, etc., do have their place in schools. They enable students to efficiently communicate with their parents, in addition to providing a resource for emergency situations.

While I agree with school board President Curt Bradshaw that many of the functionalities of mp3 players, gaming devices, etc. are being integrated into one device (such as the iPhone), I believe the district can avoid Mr. Bradshaw's concern that if schools allow phones they are allowing "other uses." Vigilantly exercising their current policy, which states phones are permissible on school grounds, provided that they are "off and out of sight" during school hours, would address his fear. Maybe it's not an issue of students abusing the current policy so much as it is the administration's inability to ensure that the current policy is properly enforced.

Laura A. Van Hyfte

Chicago