The Parent Teacher Association (PTA) is meeting with principal Olympia Rainer on April 28 to discuss whether or not to put a cell phone jammer into the school. However, they need Federal Communication Commission’s (FCC) approval, For now, they lack the FCC’s approval.
“Several school districts have inquired about jamner approval,” Sorno said. “It would be good to have a few districts run a short test period.”
The jammer will cost the district approximately $4,000, and the school has the funds to purchase the jammer, and the district will likely get a one-month approval.
“I am listen if anyone has any better ideas,” Rainer said. “I am out of ideas. I am meeting with members of the PTA next week. Perhaps they will have a better idea, but so far I haven’t heard a solid alternate solution.”
The assistant principal works at least one cell phone referral a day, and students are suspended after the third cell phone referral.
“Principal Rainer is frustrated and rightfully so,” PTA president Gayle Chen said. “The students are ignoring the rules. We don’t have to go to such drastic measures as a cell phone jammer but we do need a solution.”
350 students have had discipline referrals regarding cell phone use this year. The cell phone use has gotten out of control. From either taking up too much time in class or texting answers to each other on a test.
“Instead of trying to restrict us more, why doesn’t the administration lighten up?” Junior Tara Dominguez said, “If students could use their cell phones during lunch or passing periods, we wouldn’t have to use them in class. I bet that would solve the problem.”
The new jammer would prevent cell phone use from 8:15 a.m-3:45 p.m, and it affects all students and all employees.
“It would definitely be an inconvenience for teachers to lose their cell phones during the day,” Science teacher Pauleen Petals said. “But the inconvenience might be worth it…Cell phone use has gotten out of control.”
Principal Rainer will meet with the PTA on Monday April,26 to discuss the funds of the cell phone jammer and if who feels comfortable with it.
“We made the request so we could be ready,” District Lawyer, Ted Grngot said. “If the district moves forward with this proposal, we would like to test the jammer out for a month before we request full approval. We have no idea how effective a jammer would be for the possible repercussions.”