Don't like this. Too instrusive. This is the parents' job.
District ponders subjecting students to cell phone searchShare By Marlee Ginter
OAK HARBOR, Wash. -- Should your children be subject to a cell phone search?
The Oak Harbor School District thinks so.
The district, citing a new state legislation requiring school districts to toughen up on cyber bullying and sexting, wants to add electronic devices to the list of items teachers and administrators can search on campus.
The move would allow school administrators to review anything in a student's cell phone, including text messages, pictures and videos. School officials see it as a proactive approach to keep students safe, but some parents and students aren't so sure.
"I think it's not really fair, and it's a complete invasion of privacy," said sophomore Dylan Bartlett.
"I look through my daughter's phone, but I pay for it. I bought it for her," said parent Nicole Taylor.
School superintendent Rick Schulte says school officials aren't taking over a parental duty, but rather teaming up with the parents to keep students safe.
"You know, parents are a major part of it. Our first contact would be with parents," he said. "That's the point of the policy is to give us a role in that."
Schulte says the new rule would also protect principals who intercept inappropriate cell phone images or texts.
In 2008 Northshore School officials suspended two cheerleaders after nude pictures of them taken on a cell phone were sent to the football team. The girls' parents then sued the district and child pornography charges were brought against them.
"But even short of crime, it can be something not only uncomfortable but bullying and harassing of students, and we want to prevent that,' said Schulte.
School board members unanimously passed a first reading of the new cell phone policy. It is still subject to final approval by the school board at the end of the month.
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