January 26, 2025 at 11:44 a.m.
The Northland School Board held their regular meeting on Wed., Jan. 22. Elementary Principal Janessa Green shared her report highlighting third grade this month and then explained changes to the Student Cell Phone Policy.
With more and more research taking place on the effect of cell phone usage by young children, and the increased violations of cell phone usage in the school, staff has decided to revise the student cell phone policy. Green stated when asking staff their thoughts of banning cell phone usage during the school day the response was an astounding “yes” and “how soon can it be put into effect”. Therefore, a new policy was brought before the board for a first reading. In the policy it states: “The primary goal of this updated policy is to foster a focused, distraction-free learning environment and to ensure the safety and privacy of all students at Northland Community Schools. We believe that minimizing the presence of cell phones and other electronic devices
during school hours will significantly enhance our student’s educational experience. This policy
outlines the appropriate use of cell phones, bluetooth earbuds, smart watches, and personal electronic devices within the school premises.”
Therefore, under this policy student cell phones and other personal electronic devices capable of communication, such as those used for texting, answering, and receiving calls, are not permitted in classrooms, hallways, during lunch, during recess, or bathrooms during the school day. Green stated some of the minor details will need to be determined, but at the beginning of the school day lock boxes will be placed in all student’s first hour class where they will place any and all electronic devices (cell phones, smart watches, ear buds, etc.). After placing their devices in the box they will lock it with a key that they will then carry around with them throughout the day. The lock boxes will be transported to the office until the end of the day where they will be then transported back to the classrooms. If a student leaves in the middle of the day they will have to retrieve their devices from the office.
Green then laid out the potential timeline for implementation based off of approval at that nights meeting and with implementation at the beginning of the fourth quarter on March 24. It was mentioned that each technology lock box costs approximately $150, therefore, the total cost to the district is estimated to be less than $2,000. Green also stated this would be a pre-k through 12th grade policy so there may need to be lock boxes purchased for younger grades that would be kept in the classroom.
When asked about enforcement of the new policy and what if students hid their phones, Green stated they will implement random locker checks for devices and have a larger staff presence in the hallways during passing time. After a little more discussion board chair Marc Ruyak motioned to approve the revised student cell phone policy, board member Bill Wake seconded the motion with all members voting aye.
Other items the board discussed were with boy’s basketball and football for the 2025-2026 season. It was stated with decreasing numbers it is necessary to co-op boys basketball with Hill City beginning with the 2025-2026 season. Wake mentioned Northland will be graduating six seniors from the team, and also by co-oping the coaches will be able to hold student athletes accountable for missing practice. Board member Aaron Ammerman motioned to co-op boys basketball, Wake seconded, all voted aye.
Green then informed the board that the co-op committee recommended canceling the 2025-2026 Varsity football season. Currently there are only three or four students in 10th - 12th grade that participate in football and it would not be safe to have younger students participate at a varsity level. With the approval of the cancellation of the varsity football 2025-2026 season it was recommended releasing all of the football coaching staff and posting for the football coach positions needed. All matters were motioned, seconded and approved unanimously.
In other Board action:
• Heard an update from Superintendent/High School Principal Mary Yakibchuk regarding an issue with instant alert last Tuesday and still in search of an advisor for Prom this year.
• Accepted the resignation of Cassey Casteel, special education teacher, effective June 4.
• Accepted the resignation of Tracy Hensley, high school science teacher, effective Feb. 4.
The board has scheduled the following meetings: the regular meeting, Wed., Feb. 12 at 5:30 p.m.; a work session, Wed., Feb. 26 at 5:30 p.m. and a policy committee meeting, Wed., Mar. 3 at 10:00 a.m. all meetings are held at Northland High School.
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