CCSD defends new cell phone policy amid student pushback

LAS VEGAS (KLAS) – The Clark County School District is defending a policy it is rolling out in August that would require middle and high school students to place their cellphones in signal-blocking pouches.

It’s part of a new effort this upcoming school year to keep students focused, according to CCSD.

“We heard from a lot of students who were almost relieved a little bit because there was this pressure of keeping up with all the social media,” Kevin McPartlin, an associate superintendent for CCSD, said.

The first day of classes is Aug. 12, which is in about three weeks.

Yet, some students are pushing back against the district’s cellphone policy, asking for it to be rescinded.

“What if there’s an emergency? What if I need to contact my parents? Or if there’s an issue that comes up,” Charlize Leary, an incoming freshman, said. She’s planning to attend Nevada Learning Academy, which is CCSD’s online school.

With those questions in mind, Leary helped launch an online Change.org petition.

“Kids will find a way around it. They’ll find a way to unlock it, they’ll find a way to use it,” Leary said.

Sean Driscoll starts at Las Vegas Academy in August, and he’s joined the effort challenging the implementation of the pouches.

“Cellphone pouches in my opinion are a waste of their finances,” Driscoll said.

In its defense, CCSD Interim Superintendent Brenda Larsen Mitchell said during a school safety press conference on May 14 that the signal-blocking pouches help eliminate distraction.

“So students will have access to their phones during a crisis situation, but the focus will be that they won’t have access to them while they’re learning,” Larsen Mitchell said.

CCSD spent $2.6 million on 282,935 pouches that were purchased using federal Covid relief funds.

Lt. Bryan Zink of the Clark County School District Police Department previously told 8 News Now students are using cellphones to record fights and upload them on social media.

“Just like everyone else, when I see some of these videos it’s absolutely shocking what kids are willing to do. When, one they don’t think they’re being watched. Or two, maybe they are being watched and they’re just doing it for the likes,” Lt. Zink said.

Driscoll said he believes students the policy won’t stop fights from being recorded since most occur during recess and lunchtime.

“What the cellphone pouches are meant to do is to make them focus on their school work. Are you going to take it away to make them focus on their lunchtime?” Driscoll said.

The students’ online petition has already garnered more than 10,500 signatures.

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