Regulations governing cellphone use for Waukegan Community Unit School District 60 students are not expected to change significantly when a law signed by Gov. J.B. Pritzker on July 28 goes into effect at the start of the 2027-2028 school year.
Kathryn Vander Broek, the district’s general counsel, said Waukegan’s public schools first established a policy governing the use of cell phones and other electronic devices in 2018. In many ways, it mirrors the new law, she said.
Vander Broek said the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) has indicated it will issue guidelines by Sept. 1. Once she sees the recommendations from the state, the district can more easily determine what may have to change.
“We’ll make the necessary tweaks as we need to,” Vander Broek said. “Districts which have a policy can keep theirs in place until the 2030-2031 school year,” she added, but indicated District 60 will act more promptly.
District 60 administrators will embark on a review of the existing policy regulating portable electronic devices, including cellphones, after Sept. 1 to ensure it meets the requirements of ISBE guidelines and the new state law.
Both the new law and existing district policy do not allow elementary or middle school students to use cellphones during the school day. The law is specific, prohibiting cellphone use “from bell to bell.”
Though the new state legislation requires elementary and middle school students to store their phones during the school day, Nick Alatzakis, District 60’s communications director, said in Waukegan that now they may remain in a child’s possession, but they cannot be used during class time.
Alatzakis said storage is one of the tweaks that will be discussed once the ISBE releases its recommendations. State law allows phones to be stored in lockers. Vander Broek said changes will take place in an inclusive manner. The Parent Teacher Advisory Committee will be involved.
District 60 Superintendent Theresa Plascencia reinforced in an email that families will be involved in the process once the ISBE guidelines are known and the new state law is thoroughly reviewed.
“We’ll work with our school community to develop a policy that is clear, practical, and reflects the needs of our students, staff and families,” Plascencia wrote.
High school students can use their phones during passing periods between classes and while eating lunch in the cafeteria under both current District 60 policy and the new law.
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Plascencia did say cellular phones can distract students from their academic pursuits, which is why a policy was put in place eight years ago to minimize interference. She welcomes the state’s effort to help.
“We have seen the impact that personal electronic devices can have on student focus, classroom instruction and the overall school environment,” Plascencia said. “We appreciate the state’s efforts to provide a consistent framework for schools across Illinois.”
Exceptions to District 60’s prohibition are generally part of the new state law. Vander Broek said currently they can be used for instructional purposes, particularly for a student with special needs contained in an individualized education plan.
Though the new state law only governs cellphone use while school is in session, Vander Broek said local policy allows their use on school buses as long as others are not disrupted or the driver tells a youngster to stop using it.
baiduhai Reporter Olivia Olander contributed to this story.