On November 18, students were alerted of the new phone and electronic policies that are being implemented by the district via email. This email included the following:

For high schools, devices must remain on a mode where notifications cannot be received and out of sight during class periods and devices may be used before and after school, during class changes, and at lunch. However, this varies for middle and elementary schools.

For enforcement, students will receive a daily reminder to put away their electronic devices. However, if that is not sufficient, students will have consequences for 3 offenses:

1st Offense: Student will place their device in a provided locked container which remains with the student for the rest of the school day. Parents will be notified that the electronic device has been placed in the container. A school administrator will be available in the main office to unlock the container at the end of the school day.
2nd Offense: The same process as above will be followed except the administrator will not unlock the container until a parent has been notified and has requested that the device be unlocked.
3rd Offense: The same process will be followed as the 2nd offense except the parent and student will be required to meet with an administrator to develop a contract and plan to support the student in following this policy.

Faculty members also have expectations to follow regarding this new policy. The email stated that “teachers must create engaging learning environments and teach bell to bell, enforcing the policy as written. Teachers should also model appropriate cell phone use and not use their devices during instructional time, except in emergency situations or in cases where they are using it to support instruction.”

The reason for implementing this policy is to meet goals that benefit the school. “The goal of this new policy is to help students have a healthy relationship with their electronic devices by clearly establishing time and place for device use in our schools to provide: More focused learning environment, Increased student engagement, increased student achievement, consistency district wide, improved mental health, and reduction in bullying.”

All of this was decided at the November 12, 2024 school board meeting, where the Provo City School District Board of Education approved a new Policy 4200: Fostering Ideal Learning Environments: Electronic Device Restrictions.

This new policy will be implemented January 7, 2025 for all schools in the Provo City School District.