BY JEFF CHUDZINSKINorth Country This Week

MASSENA -- Should cellphones be allowed in junior high and high school? That question will be up for debate during a future Massena Central School Board of Education and the public is being asked to weigh in.

The topic recently arose when Board Member Joyce Giroux suggested the board consider discussing the district's cell phone policy in the high school and junior high, a move that was supported by Board President Paul Haggett.

While Giroux initially suggested the board discuss the district's policy, Board Member Patricia Murphy took it a step further and suggested the public also be involved as well.

“I would like to invite anyone from the public who wants to be part of that to come to the board meeting and state what their preference is and why, and any supporting evidence that they have for a change in the cell phone policy,” she said.

Stakeholders will also be invited as well, Haggett said.

Currently, student use of cell phones are prohibited during the school day, however the board of education also has a policy in place to allow for the use of school or personal technology for use during the school day for educational purposes only.

Administration and teachers also reserve the right to restrict the use of such technologies on school property or at school-sponsored events, board of education policy states.

Teachers can also indicate when and if classroom use of such technology is acceptable, according to the BuildingCode of Conduct and Student Handbook.

According to the high school student handbook, cell phones and electronic devices are not permitted "from the beginning of the first period (7:35 a.m.) to the end of 9th period (2:16 p.m.)."

"All electronic devices must be placed in the student's locker during this time," the handbook states.

Though policies state cell phones are not permitted for personal use during school hours for junior high students, they are allowed to bring cellphones to school if they remain in lockers "at all times."

“We recognize that sometimes communication from home is needed during the day. Students are permitted to check/send text messages at their locker only and then return the device to the locker," the handbook states.

Cell phones must remain out of sight otherwise, according to the handbook.

School officials also have a list of offenses that could result in a phone being confiscated if used during the school day.

A first offense will result in the device being held in the Student Affairs Office before being returned to the student at the end of the day.

A second offense leads to the device being held at the Student Affairs Office for a parent or guardian to pick up at the end of the day.

A third offense will result in the device being taken and a parent must pick up the device from school. A disciplinary referral for insubordination will also occur after a third offense, policy states.

The student handbook also states that use of cell phones in the school or on school transportation will result in the phone being confiscated and may result in further disciplinary action.

It is unclear at this time if board members will seek to modify the district's cell phone policy following the public forum.