PITTSFIELD, Mass — Pittsfield students can expect a discussion on cell phone usage at a future School Committee meeting. 

 

School Committee Chair William Cameron asked it be added to a future agenda, saying cell phone usage has been a problem for many years. 

 

"I think just about any teacher in the system or any administrator would be able to speak at length about the kinds of problems that cell phones present in schools create," the retired superintendent said. 

 

Although he has heard about teachers using smart phones as a teaching tool, he wonders whether they are more a source of disruption. 

 

The school district's current code of conduct says cellphones are not allowed out or on during school, Superintendent Joseph Curtis said. 

 

Cameron recommended having a restatement of the policy or a discussion on the current policy enforcement.  

 

A topic like this is a critical one for student engagement so students need a voice at the table if the committee plans to discuss changing the policy, committee member Vicky Smith said. 

 

Curtis said he has had a discussion with Reid Middle School staff and the principal, and will be attending the next staff meeting on Feb. 27 when they will be identifying priorities, adding phones have been discussed in a few priority areas. 

 

"Initially, it was thought that cell phones might be that priority. I'm hearing some other priorities that might be raised so well. I'm meeting with them but it is certainly an area of discussion," Curtis said. 

 

He added that students and families will be expected provide their opinions as they feel differently about the policy. 

 

"Families feel much very differently about cell phones and access during the day, particularly because of societal concerns that we're experiencing, even right now," he said. 

 

It's a likely discussion in all schools, even in elementary, that depends on the will of the committee and student and family involvement, Curtis said. 

 

Vice Chair Daniel Elias said enforcing the policy could also be a disruption because convincing students to put their phones in storage takes up class time.

 

Buxton School, a private boarding school in Williamstown, recently made national headlines for banning smart phones.

 

The committee may have to make a decision sooner about another digital device — Chromebooks. 

 

The district has had a high loss rate of the computers, equating to roughly $1 million, said Curtis, requiring the committee to make "some substantial decisions" about how they can be used. 

 

A survey is being conducted to determine if students will continue to take Chromebooks home or keep them in school.

 

The school district purchased 2,500 Chromebooks in 2020 as schools shifted to online learning during the pandemic. 

 

In other news: 

 

• School Committee member Sara Hathaway asked if the schools need capital investment for cable television. Hathaway was appointed last fall to the Cable Advisory Committee in regard to contract talks with cable television provider Spectrum.

 

The ascertainment process prior to negotiations will take place over a number of months, however, she recommended the schools start thinking about it and compile a wish list so they can come up with a proposal. 

 

Items on the list could include any kind of capital improvement such as updating old wiring, getting cameras in a room to broadcast meetings, making a studio for students so they could produce television programing, Hathaway said. 

 

School Committee member Mark Brazeau noted that this could also apply to internet service and fiber in between buildings. 

 

"As you know, Charter is not our internet provider due to cost, so it can include capital investments relating to internet," he said.

 

• The district is having a math acceleration academy during February vacation. Currently, 225 students registered but students are still encouraged to register.

 

• The School Safety Committee held its fifth meeting last week during which it continued action planning around the five identified focus areas.

 

The committee has agreed to schedule at least one more meeting before moving to a quarterly basis.