Kaneland bans students' cell phone use

Kaneland High School students lost the privilege to carry cell phones in school because too many were misusing them during the school day.

The school board Tuesday decided that next year, teens will have to put their cell phones and other electronic devices (such as iPods) in their lockers during the school day, just like they did until this school year. Too many were using them during class time to text each other, whether to make social plans or pass along test information, said Ian Smith, assistant principal, who worked on a committee that recommended the revision. He said disciplinary incidents increased this year.

"All it takes is the teacher to turn around for a second," he said, and noted that students are also adept at texting without looking at their phones, even if they are in their purses or pockets.

Students can look up information on the Internet, and can also take pictures of tests and upload those, he said. Smith said some parents have complained to him after getting their bills, asking how their kid could have sent 90 messages in a single school day.

"Do you think it is realistic they are going to keep a cell phone in a locker? If you can't see it and it is on their person, you don't know if it is on them or in a locker," said Board Member Cheryl Krauspe. Smith said the policy change is only one step in reining in the use.

For a first offense the students' phones may be confiscated, then returned at the end of the day and given a one-hour after-school detention. If they break the rule again, the phones will be turned over to their parents and the students will receive a two-hour detention. A third offense results in a stint in Saturday school. Policies vary at other area schools.

At Batavia and St. Charles East and North high schools, students can carry phones, but they must not be visible.

In Geneva and West Aurora, they must be stored in a locker.

In all school policies, the phones must be turned off, whether in kept in a locker or on the person.