Meeting Public Comments

Josh Bujalski [Durant Police Department]

This is in reference to the HSB 106, referring to the bill about phones in schools. As a school resource officer and conducting research on other states that have passed bills. I believe it is in the best interest that we have a bill that does not allow a student to have an electronic device (cell phone, apple watch etc.) in their possession during the instructional part of the school day. In which means they cannot have any device from the time they enter the building until they leave. This would follow another states law in which that would be Louisiana. I have seen firsthand as a school resource office the issues that phones and electronic devices have on the students during the school day. The problems that we have inside the school is mainly because of the phones and other electronic devices. Now if a student has a Individualized Education Pland and or 504, there can be exceptions for those students. I truly believe that if you pass this bill the way it is written as of now, you are giving to much responsibility to the school districts. I know firsthand that the school district that I work in will not change anything with phones, because they don't want that fight with parents. I truly believe that we need a bill coming down from the top to be as strict as possible, to ensure that phones and other electronic devices are not in the hands of our students during the school day. I am a father of 4 and truly believe that if i have to get a hold of my child during the school day, I call the office because that is what there number is for and they have a secretary. Thank you.