GSL School Board approves bring your own device policy

Students at Glencoe-Silver Lake (GSL) Schools will now have the chance to use their devices, such as smart phones and tablets, at school. The GSL School Board approved a Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) policy for the district during its regular Monday night meeting.
The Board also waived a second reading, so the policy will go into effect right away.
The policy is designed to enhance the education process and can only be used at a teacher’s discretion. Students must obtain teacher permission before use and should only use their devices for educational purposes. Students will sign a copy of the policy to ensure they understand its requirements.
The devices will be able to be used on the district’s new BYOD Wi-Fi profile. The guest and district profiles will be off-limits.
Though use is allowed at teacher discretion, any misuse will result in punishment. At the first offense, the device will be confiscated until the end of the day, when a parent must retrieve it. At the second offense, students will get a one- to three-day network suspension and denial of access to BYOD network and school computers for 40 days. The third offense is denial to GSL networks for one calendar year.
Board Member Jamie Alsleben asked if teachers had the chance to review the policy before it went to the Board. Information Technology (IT) Director Jeff Jenson said some teachers did look at it and were excited about it.
Jenson explained that the policy might need adjustment as it is impossible to address every potential instance that may arise.
Alsleben suggested putting the policy as top priority for the policy committee to review at the end of the year.

For more from the meeting, see the Sept. 16 print edition of The Chronicle.