SAN BENITO — San Benito High School’s new principal is cracking down on cellphone use during class to help focus on instruction while some students risk falling short of graduating in May.
Nearly two months after taking the job, Principal Marcus Ysasi is enforcing the district’s policy barring students from using their cellphones during class in the school in which he’s launching a program to help 650 students work to raise their state test scores.
During a meeting, Ysasi told school board members the program’s aimed at helping 650 high school students, including 410 students retesting in English II and 240 retesting in Algebra 1.
“Some of these are at-risk of not graduating,” he told board members during Tuesday’s meeting.
‘Excessive’ cellphone use
Before Spring Break, Ysasi gave students letters notifying them and their parents he was enforcing the district’s policy amid what he later described as students’ “excessive use” of cellphones during classes.
“To promote and protect instructional time, student cellphones will no longer be allowed in the classroom,” Ysasi wrote in the letter.
“The only time students will be allowed to use their device in the classroom is when the teacher has the use of the device tied to instruction and written into their lesson plans,” the letter states. “Teachers will not be required to collect or confiscate cellphones. However, if cellphones are visible, the teacher shall redirect the student to put the device in their backpack or in their pocket — out of sight. Students who choose not to comply with the request will receive a discipline referral and the student will be processed for insubordination. Cellphones shall be allowed before school, during lunch, during passing periods and after school. If students need to contact their parents or guardians at any time, they may request permission to come to the high school office to use their phones.”
Enforcing district policy
On Wednesday, Ysasi stated the high school had not been enforcing district’s policy barring students from using cellphones during classes, citing “the excessive use of personal student devices being used during instructional time for non-instructional or entertainment purposes.”
“Since my arrival to San Benito High School early last month, I have observed that student cellphone use is much too prevalent,” he stated. “While the current policy is written to where student cellphones are not allowed during the instructional day at all, it had not been enforced. Therefore, in a good faith effort, my administrative team and I will implement this gradual approach to recapture classroom time on behalf of all parties.”
Ysasi stated students didn’t need their smart phones for instructional purposes.
“San Benito CISD has done a great job in providing every single student with the appropriate technologies needed to be successful in their studies,” he stated.
In January, board members named Ysasi the high school’s principal nearly two months after Superintendent Theresa Servellon suspended former Principal Gilbert Galvan after about six months on the job following a 45-year career in public education.
Area districts prohibit cellphone use during class
In the area, districts such as the Harlingen and Raymondville school districts also prohibit students from using their cellphones during classes.
“Students can use phones with teacher permission for instructional purposes,” Harlingen Superintendent Alicia Noyola stated.
District cellphone policy
In their student codes of conduct, the three area school districts prohibit students from using cellphones during class while outlining similar policies.
“The district permits students to possess personal cellphones for safety purposes,” the San Benito school district’s policy states. “However, these devices must remain turned off during the instructional day, including during all testing unless they are being used for approved instructional purposes.”
Like the Harlingen and Raymondville districts, the San Benito school district restricts students’ use of their smart phones’ cameras.
“The use of cellphones or any device capable of capturing images is strictly prohibited in locker rooms or restroom areas while at school or at a school-related or school-sponsored event,” the San Benito school district’s policy states. “Any disciplinary action will be in accordance with the student code of conduct. Violations of the user agreement may result in withdrawal of privileges and other disciplinary action.”
