Vassalboro school board to explore policy on students’ cell phones

Vassalboro Community School (contributed photo)

by Mary Grow

Vassalboro school board members’ discussion was mostly routine at the Nov. 12 meeting, with a couple important topics to be explored in more depth at future meetings.

One is the school’s policy on students’ cellphones and other personal electronic devices. Another is updating the strategic plan.

The Maine School Management Association has shared a recommended policy on cell phones and other electronic devices. Board members plan to align it with the current policy at a future meeting.

The current VCS policy is on page 20 in the student handbook (found on line at vcsvikings.org, under the heading For Students). Assistant Principal Tabitha Brewer said only a couple warnings for violations have been issued so far this year.

The strategic plan is currently an 11-page document setting out four broad goals and summarizing actions taken to achieve them, with a list of potential additional goals at the end. For each goal and subgoal, there are lists of what should be done, by whom and when, and what has been done in the preceding three academic years.

Superintendent Alan Pfeiffer asked whether AI (artificial intelligence) should be added to policies or the plan or both. Technology Systems Administrator David Trask said he has been including responsible use of AI in his courses this fall.

After the meeting, Pfeiffer said he will have the strategic plan added to the VCS website, with the understanding it is to be updated.

Board members approved revisions to half a dozen other of their more than 200 policies (found on line under School Board, Policies and Procedures). They have more to update at future meetings.

Among reports submitted to board members, one from Principal Ira Michaud said student enrollment remains at 420, and listed upcoming events. The winter concert for the community is scheduled for 6 p.m., Thursday, Dec. 18, with a snow date Monday, Dec. 22.

Pfeiffer reported the roadside solar warning signs are operating; plans for an expanded parking lot are “inching forward”; and installation of LED (light-emitting diode) lights, part of planned building updates, might happen in December. After the Oct. 28 community meeting, discussion continues of safety measures, like installing metal detectors at entrances and hiring a school resource officer (see the Nov. 6 issue of The Town Line, p. 2).

The superintendent said when road conditions cause a no-school day or a delayed opening, notices will go out by robocall and will be posted on the website and sent to local radio and television stations.

Jennifer Lizotte, director of the child care center at VCS, reported 41 students enrolled. For the Thanksgiving holiday, she wrote, the center will be open all day Wednesday, Nov. 26, and closed Thursday and Friday. The school calendar says there will be no school Wednesday, Thursday or Friday.

The next regular Vassalboro School Board meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 9. It will be preceded by a curriculum committee meeting at 5 p.m.