CAMDEN — The Preble Shawnee Board of Education held its Thursday, Jan. 12, meeting following its 2023 organizational meeting, and discussed a potential contract with Arcadia Towers, and introduced a new “cell phone free zone” policy in the middle school.

During the public participation segment of the meeting, the board was approached by a district resident who issued a grievance regarding the board’s consideration of signing a lease with Arcadia Towers. According to the contract, the cell tower company would rent a portion of land owned by the school district, build a tower which would increase bandwidth and 5G, for which the school would receive compensation.

“What I’m here about this evening is asking you to consider not placing cell towers on district property,” said the resident. He went on to express his displeasure that during a previous meeting in September 2022, the topic had not aroused disapproval from the community.

“The history of radio waves and cell towers is an ugly one. I’m not here to give you a history lesson, you’re all educated people. But I ask you delay your vote for one more board meeting, until you do more research.”

The resident requested board members do in-depth research on the alleged sickness which can be caused by cell tower exposure, expressing his concern not only for residents in the area, but for the students who would be most negatively impacted by radio waves.

Superintendent Todd Bowling noted the National Trail School District currently has a cell tower on its property board members who are uncertain of moving forward could visit for more local information.

Board member Julie Singleton noted, due to the potential health effects caused by the cell tower, she “may never be agreeable” to the contract with Arcadia. Singleton was not alone in her concerns. The board decided to table the decision until more information can be gathered.

In other business:

Bowling informed the board of a trial-run change to the school’s cell phone policy following numerous displays of disorderly conduct amongst middle school students, escalated by popular social media applications.

“What the policy basically covers is changes that will reduce discipline, we hope, and some interactions between kids who are inappropriate,” said Bowling. “The middle school will become a cell-free zone. Cellphones should remain in backpacks, purses or lockers and must be turned off or silent from the beginning of the school day, until the end of the school day.”

Bowling noted that this does not include students who rely on their phones for relevant medical conditions, such as diabetes.

Bowling explained cellphones are a constant source of distraction during the school day, even for students who are in class. He added some troubled students often use their phones to communicate locations to fight, or have other students record fights with social media apps.

“The first offense will be a strong warning. Second offense is a detention. The third offense is one day of in-school suspension, and a parent must pick up the (student’s) phone. The fourth offense is two days of in-school suspension, the parent must pick up the (student’s) phone. The fifth offense is three days in-school suspension, and the parent must pick up the (student’s) phone,” stated Bowling.

Bowling noted, should the number of offenses reach six, it will result in a three day out-of-school suspension.

With regard to the exclusivity of this policy change to the middle school, Principal Jennifer Taulbee remarked, “I think I’ve reached my breaking point before others have. Maybe they’ll wait and see how this goes, because again, this is just a trial. If it doesn’t improve academics and discipline, we’ll revisit it. But I have seen pictures, and posts, and text messages that turn my stomach.”

Taulbee noted, the cell-free policy also applies to free time.

“I think it will be good for them. You would be amazed – our students don’t know how to interact with one another. They are so used to sitting behind their cellphones. If you go out in public, you’ll see it. The social interaction is gone. I think by doing this, we’ll be able to promote that. Because it’s an important thing for students to be able to do,” Taulbee stated.

With regard to safety, Taulbee feels confident certain school security policies will be ample enough protection. Taulbee added, parents are “welcome to call the office anytime” should they need to communicate with their child.

Some board members expressed their uneasiness for the policy change, but acknowledged the ongoing disciplinary issues in the middle school. Board member Gary Rader requested statistics from other school districts who have already implemented this policy, to ease his mind.

The trial period for the policy change began Jan. 16. Bowling said Taulbee will attend the February meeting to report on the success of the trial. According to Preble Shawnee officials, if the trial proves successful, it could be implemented in the high school and elementary schools as well.

Preble Shawnee Board of Education meetings are open to the public, held on the second Thursday of the month at 6 p.m., in the high school auditorium located at 5495 Somers Gratis Road, Camden.

Reach Nathan Hoskins at 937-683-4057.