By Rev. Jeffrey Moore

Modern electronic technology is marvelous in so many ways and with its obvious function to make life easier can at times create issues that affect the greater good. Recent statistics show that three out of every five individuals in the United States own at least one cell phone, and cell phone users in 2009 are as young as eight years old. Any wonder then that the issue of when cell phone use is appropriate has become a modern day dilemma.

Many states have now banned the use of cell phones while driving a vehicle, and in many establishments the requirement is for cell phones to be turned off or at least placed in the vibration mode. As a minister, I am well aware of how distracting a cell phone ringing during a worship service can be. Who among us has not been irritated when a cell phone rang while we were in the movie theater, or by conversations louder than normal occurring while we were eating in a restaurant or visiting a museum?

The Crawford Central School District has identified the misuse of cell phones by students as a major concern. It has been found students not only communicate during the school day with their parents at work or home, as well as their friends, but also are sharing and texting highly inappropriate information related to tests or assignments. While students are directed to either not bring their phone to school, or if they do, to place it in their locker at the beginning of the day, still many students continue to access and use their phone throughout the school day. Developing responsible adult citizens begins with developing responsible young citizens. This means parents must take a pro-active role in urging appropriate use of the cell phone at all times, including while their child is in school. While all students are made aware of the district’s policy on appropriate cell phone use, allow me to share with you the penalties for inappropriate use.

Recognizing that many parents find great comfort in having the ability to communicate with their children during the day, especially should an emergency arise, there also has to be an equally serious concern about how misuse and unethical use affects the student’s ability to be honest and focused for the academic challenges of the school day. Parents must inform and educate their children sharing appropriate expectations for use, including when and how the cell phone will be utilized.

Crawford Central has developed a Cell Phone Policy, which clearly states cell phones are permitted in school, but they must be turned off and placed in a student locker during school hours. Violations of cell phone usage result in the following consequences: on the first instance of cell phone misuse, the phone will be confiscated and the students parents will need to come to the Principal’s Office to retrieve it. The second offense involves confiscation by the principal, with the phone to be released to the parent at the end of the school day, with the additional penalty that the student will receive a three-day out-of-school suspension and a letter from the Superintendent’s Office directed to the parent or guardian. The third offense allows the principal to hold the phone until parents retrieve it, but the student will face a five-day out-of-school suspension.

Sexting (the sending of sexually explicit photographs by use of a cell phone) is strictly prohibited, such incidents on school district property will result in the student receiving a minimum three day out-of-school suspension, and law enforcement officials will be contacted by the school district.

Furthermore, if an administrator in the school district has reason to believe that a student’s cell phone contains inappropriate or illegal materials, the district reserves the right to confiscate the phone and review its contents. Again, out-of-school suspensions are possible, along with communication to local law enforcement officials.

The Citizens Advisory Council of the Crawford Central School District, of which I am a member, would like to be a responsible voice to the community sharing concerns that the district has, and listening to the concerns of our citizenry. Our hope is that parents will give serious thought to having conversation with their young people about the appropriate use of cell phones and to turn work with the school district in building an educational program that seeks to help every child attain academic excellence.

Moore is a member of the Citizens Advisory Committee of Crawford Central School District.