School system gets tough on cell phones
Regina Rose/krose@dothaneagle.com
Houston County forbids its students from having cell phones at school.
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By Jim Cook
Published: July 25, 2008
The Houston County Schools system is tightening its student cell phone policy, handing out stiffer punishments for those caught in possession of the phones at school.
Houston County forbids its students from having cell phones at school. This contrasts with a more liberal policy in the Dothan City Schools, which allows students to have cell phones so long as they are kept turned off and out of sight during school hours.
Superintendent Tim Pitchford admits that he’s likely to hear some parent complaints about the tougher penalties.
“It doesn’t matter what I do or don’t do, I’m going to catch grief,” he said. “I just have to know that we’re doing what’s in the best interest of students’ ability to learn and graduate and become productive citizens.”
Houston County Schools’ policy made possession of a cell phone at school punishable by detention on the first offense. The Houston County Board of Education recently approved a new policy that increases the first-offense penalty to one day of suspension. Subsequent offenses can lead to longer periods of suspension.
Pitchford said the tougher policy was needed because students have been flouting current rules. According to Pitchford, cell phones at county schools have caused a large number of disturbances, including incidents where students were later arrested after being caught making and transmitting indecent material using their cell phone cameras.
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Reader Reactions
Posted by ( Mike Keevert ) on August 01, 2008 at 7:52 am
Its a start, now we need a law forbiding the use of a hand held phone while driving.
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Posted by ( me ) on August 01, 2008 at 12:50 am
You know the people should stand behind people that has to deal with the public,especially when children,are in hand.Its a shame that the parent let their children run their life.I here them say my child might need to call m,they don’t.This is a school,where there have to be rules,just like your job,I’m really tired of those don’t won’t to disapline there child parent,then when the get in real trouble its always somebody fault,not your child,get real.I think if you really want to get serious you should take the phone for the remainder of the year,and mean business
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Posted by ( ccarter19143 ) on July 28, 2008 at 6:44 pm
If individuals knew how it disturbed others when a phone starts to ring in class or even vibrate they would not be as apt to look down on Mr. pritchford.I am a college student at Troy and I still get aggravated because as Adults you think it would be better for them to understand that phones interrupt teaching..however, we still have students who bring them and do not adhere to a cell phone policy located on our syllabus…I wish all schools would get rid of the use of cell phones…if you have an emergency call the front office or switchboard and let them locate you on campus…I am a mother of seven and i can guarantee you they will not have cell phones at school because they are their to learn not to text or talk with their friends
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Posted by ( BAMAGIRL88 ) on July 28, 2008 at 2:29 pm
I agree that all schools need a cell phone policy, and I know kids will be kids and sometimes not abide by the rules. But for the students that DO abide by the rules this is not fair. AND until you have a child that is under lock-down and the schools or the supertindent’s office will not give you any information about what is going on - then DON’T say the student’s don’t need cell phones. As a parent of (2) children that goes to Cottonwood, my daughters cell phone was a god send. First of all I KNEW that my (2) daughters were ok and were together. I was in constent communication with her. So I was ok and did not get all upset because I had communication with her. Unlike some of the parents. And for the students that did have cell phones, we could relay messages from our children to other parents whose children that did not have cell phones. I think that this should be a school decision made by the principal. We have more appreciation for the principals because they are there and they are the one’s responsible for our children.. FYI Mrs Fowler YOU did a tremendous job that day. YOU and the staff kept the students calm. Your leadership is what has made Cottonwood one of the Best schools in Alabama. Congratualtions
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Posted by ( ConcernedParent ) on July 25, 2008 at 11:10 pm
Good going Mr. Pitchford! I hope you set an example for ALL local schools. We survived without cell phones at school in our day - they won’t die without them these days either. If they are old enough to drive - leave them locked in the car. If they aren’t old enough to drive…what the heck are they doing with cell phones anyway? Give me a break - kids are SO rotten these days.
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Posted by ( whatley001 ) on July 25, 2008 at 12:17 pm
schools are ment for learning not talking on a cell phone or text messaging..if a phone is found on a student,destory it
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