The Colorado Springs School District 11 Board of Education adopted several new student policies related to personal technology use and student conduct during their regular board meeting Wednesday night.

The banning of personal technology devices has been a hot topic within the district as some people believes it hinders students’ education. New board members Jill Haffley and Thomas Cary both campaigned on the issue.

The adoption of Policy JICJ will help to promote a safe and focused academic learning environment for D-11 students.

Recently, St. Mary’s High School banned the use of cellphones during school hours and mixed responses have been reported.

As part of the newly adopted policy, the use of personal technology devices will be prohibited during academic periods. District administration will work to develop regulations supporting consistency in the enforcement of the policy. Administration will also work to develop appropriate disciplinary measures, including confiscation.

Alongside the adoption of Policy JICJ, the board also voted to adopt and revise several policies related to student conduct and discipline.

Up for repeal was Policy EEAEC, regarding student conduct on the school bus.

According to the director of student engagement Chris Brandt, there is a recoding that is taking the policy out of the “E” series on Support Services and moving it to the “J” series on Students. The topic and general content is very similar but the recommended JICC is closely aligned to the Colorado Association of School Boards mission and slightly different than the previous D-11 EEAEC.

Up for adoption was the recommended Policy JICC, which saw no changes from the last time the board reviewed this policy. This policy identifies that student discipline may happen if inappropriate student behaviors occur in a school vehicle.

Several revised policies were also voted on and all approved. Formatting of the policies has been cleaned up and board recommendations have been added.

• Policy JIC, Student Conduct, Attendance and Discipline Code 
• Policy JICA, Student Dress, Accessories and Grooming 
• Policy JICDA, Code of Conduct
• Policy JK, Student Discipline
• Policy JKBA, Formal Disciplinary Removals from Classrooms
• Policy JKD/JKE, Student Suspension/Expulsion/Denial of Admission

Other items

With Wednesday’s meeting being the last for the 2023-2024 school year, the board also voted to approve the FY 24/25 budget.

“Thank you to the board again and the community for allowing us to propose this exceptional budget, especially given the fiscal limitations in public education,” Superintendent Michael Gaal said.

Later in the meeting, the board heard a proposal that would outline a partnership between Joint Initiatives and Galileo Middle School. Joint Initiatives is a nonprofit that promotes collaboration among youth-serving institutions and uses the Juvenile Assessment Center model to serve youth.

Representatives presented the idea to the board of a community school at Galileo Middle School with the goal of providing on-site support services for students and their families.

Some of those services would include on-site mental health providers and counselors, dental and health opportunities, a food bank, after school enrichment activities, financial literacy offerings for families and crisis intervention.

The contract overview looked at a three-year term; 10 months each year following the academic calendar. Joint Initiatives would assist in paying the cost of operations and their fair share of renovations for occupancy

The program would cost the district $22,000 a year, divided between 10 months for $2,200 each month.

After hearing from representatives, the board voted to approve the contract. Locating and renovations will start Aug. 1 of this year, with a staggered approach to bringing community partners in to serve as those student resources.