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As the wording now stands, North Branch schools will likely not allow any use of cellphones in school during the entire day starting next fall, for students in grades K-5.

It is proposed to also disallow device use for grades 6-12 during instructional time slots.  These older students would be able to use their phones in between the end of one class period and the beginning of the next.

North Branch School Board members are still discussing this policy, which state legislators mandated all districts must have in place.  

The discussion last week was the first of at least two “readings'' for policy adoption.  The cell phone rules are being incorporated into the Internet Acceptable Use and Safety Policy, which was last revised in 2022.

Board member Adam Trampe said last week he’d like to prohibit all “smart” devices (capable of connecting to the Internet) from coming into schools, and only allow communication phones, watches, etc.   

Board member Sarah Grovender expressed that she would like to see the two age groups in the restrictions revised,  to put students  grades 6 through 8 into the K-5 no-use standards.  She questioned if middle schoolers were best served being granted high school level privileges.

The Board took these comments under advisement.  It  will go over the policy draft again when it meets in July. If you have suggestions you can contact any Board member or the district School Board office/e-mail.

Superintendent Sara Paul advised “...there have been struggles affecting the learning environment’ when it comes to cell phones. This policy has been scrutinized for months now, and was worded based on surveying building staff and other advisors’ input.

The policy also allows for seizing a device if a violation is likely to have occurred and the district has the right to search the data.

In other business: Board members heard the new districtwide population count that dictates Community Education funding levels is 22,216.  It was 20,964.

The state will again be supporting a breakfast and a lunch for each student next year.  The Board voted to also adopt a policy that allows for free milk (one container) for all pupils whether they bring a bag meal or take advantage of the funded meals.  For the year just ended,  the Board was told the district covered the additional milk for those with their own food, at a cost of $2,581, which Board members found an acceptable  district expense.  Milk (in addition to the one basic container) is 70 cents.  

Adult food is available with lunch at $5 and breakfast $2.60.

The apprenticeship program is coming together for a fall start. (Story Press May 30). Supt. Paul reports there are three participants ready to go and areas of most need are being addressed, in special education and early childhood licensure.  Planning continues in partnership with Concordia in St. Paul for a pre-apprenticeship program in mathematics.

The separation agreement and resignation of Coleman McDonough was accepted.

There are three Board seats expiring for the upcoming election cycle, Shelly Johnson, Heather Naegele and Tim MacMillan have terms ending 2025.  

Filing at district offices runs from July 30 to August 13.

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