McKenzie School Board’s New Policies Affect Student Experiences

McKENZIE (August 5) — With each new school year comes new school policies. The McKenzie Special School District (MSSD) Board of Education voted to amend 19 policies from the MSSD Board of Education Policy Manual. Several policies — including a wireless communication devices policy and a student wellness policy — directly impact students’ experiences going into the new school year.

According to MSSD Superintendent Dr. Justin Barden, the Tennessee School Board Association made most of the changes in accordance with state laws that took effect July 1.

Use of Wireless Communication Devices — Students are not allowed to use their phones during instructional time unless authorized for educational purposes. While some schools have implemented cell phone “pockets” in classrooms for storage, McKenzie schools allow students to possess these wireless communication devices (cell-phones, smart watches, Airpods, laptops, tablets and gaming devices) under specific instruction.

Students in grades K-8 may possess wireless communication devices if those are turned off and stored away for the entirety of the school day.

Students in grades 9-12 may possess wireless communication devices if those are turned off during instructional time. These devices are allowed in the hallways, between class breaks, during lunch time and during activity period.

There are exceptions in case of an emergency, when authorized by a teacher, to manage the student’s health as documented in their individual healthcare plan or when the device is used to assist a disabled student’s functional capabilities.

Use of a camera on any of these devices is strictly prohibited on school property or at school functions unless authorized by a school employee.

Unauthorized use or improper storage of a device results in confiscation and potential disciplinary action. In the event of an emergency, parents or guardians will be alerted through NotifyMe, MSSD district website/district phone app, district or school social media outlets or the county’s school phone call system.

Student Wellness — All elementary school students are mandated to have a minimum of 40 minutes of unstructured physical activity — outside, if weather permits — each full school day. Time spent in a physical education class, walking to- and from class and time spent on an electronic device does not count as unstructured physical activity.

Additionally, physical activity must not be withheld from a student as a form of punishment.

Similarly, middle and high school students must receive a minimum of 90 minutes of physical activity each full school week.

Dr. Barden said it was a struggle to fit the new play time into the school schedule while keeping a balance of instruction time and play time, but he and Mrs. Tonya Brown, McKenzie Elementary School principal, found a way to make it work by scattering the 40 minutes of playtime for each grade level throughout the day. Dr. Barden said the adjustment “makes for a very tight daily schedule for each grade.”

Attendance — Students may have up to ten excused absences each school year for non-school sponsored extracurricular activities. This policy only applies if the student provides documentation of the absence at least seven business days prior to their absence. Dr. Barden said that a student had taken several absences to participate in semi-professional bull riding competitions in the past. Under the rewritten policy, these absences would be excused.

Use of the Internet — Students are prohibited from accessing social media platforms while using district internet unless expressly authorized by a teacher for educational purposes. While this amendment is new to the Board’s policy manual, district schools have implemented this policy for several years. Dr. Dianne Anderson is working to find a failsafe way teachers may use social media platforms, like YouTube, while keeping students blocked.

Interscholastic Athletes — Students enrolled in virtual school (like Clarksburg’s Virtual Academy) may participate in sports at the school they are geographically zoned in.

Virtual Education Program — Virtual education may be used for academic remediation or enrichment, in the event of dangerous or extreme weather conditions, an emergency, or for continuity of educational services for homebound students or students who are quarantining. Eligibility to participate in virtual programs depends on a student’s attendance, grades, technology survey and building-level administrator approval.

Dr. Barden said the district would mostly provide virtual education services for homebound students, specifically for students with medical issues or in the special education department.

Student Discrimination, Harassment, Bullying, Cyber-bullying and Intimidation — The district amended its definition of discrimination, adding antisemitism to a list that included race, color, religion, sex, national origin and disability.

This policy covers employees, employees’ behaviors, students and students’ behaviors while on school property, at any school-sponsored activity, on school-provided equipment or transportation or at any official school bus stop. If the act takes place off school property or outside of a school-sponsored activity, this policy is in effect if the conduct is directed specifically at a student or students and has the effect of creating a hostile educational environment or creating a substantial disruption to the education environment or learning process.