1.16 Use of Wireless Telecommunication Devices by Student(s)

The use of any wireless communication device is expressly prohibited while on school premises, or while in transit under the authority of the school, or while attending any function sponsored by or authorized by the school except as provided below. This includes, but is not limited to, the following devices:
• Wireless/cell phones
• Pagers (one way and two way)
• Blackberry® and similar mobile messaging devices
• Any device utilizing Infrared, Bluetooth®, or other technologies enabling communication between two or more devices

The possession of such devices is prohibited unless specifically provided in the following policy:

Possession and Use of Wireless Communication Devices

1. Wireless Communication Devices are defined as mobile/cell/wireless telephones, one or two-way pagers, Blackberry and similar such hybrid communication devices, or any other such device that enables any communication between two devices. This includes cameras on wireless communications devices.
2. A student may possess a wireless communication device while on school premises under the following conditions:
a. Students are prohibited from using the device during the school day.
b. The device must remain turned off at all times and unable to receive or send any communications during the school day. This includes and specifically prohibits text-messaging or any type of "instant messaging."
c. The device is stored in an automobile, locker, or other location as designated by the principal.
d. Misuse of the device may result in appropriate administrative disciplinary measures including suspension from school
3. A student may possess a wireless communication device at a function sponsored by the school that occurs outside the hours of the normal school day. Use of the device for incoming/outgoing communications is not permitted in the presence of the performing group during the school-sponsored function. The device may be used only away from the performance or in the outer lobby before or after the school function begins or concludes. Misuse of the device during a school-sponsored function may result in appropriate administrative disciplinary measures including suspension from school.
4. School personnel shall have the authority to detain and search, or authorize the search (according to established policy concerning student searches) of any student when the student is on school premises, or while in transit to or from school on a school vehicle, or while attending any function sponsored or authorized by the school, upon reasonable suspicion that the student is misusing a wireless communication device. School personnel searching or authorizing the search of a student (according to established policy concerning student searches) suspected of misusing a wireless communications device shall have the authority to remove the device from the student’s possession.
5. The misuse of a wireless communications device in an attempt to "cheat" or otherwise share information regarding coursework or testing may result in appropriate administrative disciplinary measures including suspension from school.
6. The misuse of a wireless telecommunications device in a manner that inhibits disrupts or interferes in a classroom, school activity or event may result in suspension from school.
7. The school district and its employees are not responsible for lost, stolen, and/or damaged telecommunication devices and other personal property of a student.
8. The principal shall have the authority to revoke the privilege of having a wireless communication device on campus for repeated violations of this policy.
9. In the event of misuse, a school official may confiscate the wireless device and return the device to a parent or other adult parental representative.


Possession and Use of Laptop Computers, Handheld Computers, PDA-type devices (personal digital assistant) and Graphing Calculators

Broken Arrow Public Schools embraces computing technology and values the availability of technology to its students in ways which enhance the learning environment. However, since these devices may be misused by students in a way that is detrimental to the learning environment, the following policy applies:

Laptop/Handheld Computers

1. Laptop and handheld computers are not allowed at school during the school day unless written permission is granted on a student-specific basis by the school administration.
2. Laptop computers with wireless communications capability may not be used to communicate with another computer or wireless communication device.
3. Abuse of the policy may result in the seizure of the device by school administrators and return to the parent or authorized parental representative.
4. The school district and its employees are not responsible for lost, stolen, and/or damaged telecommunication devices and other personal property of a student.

Personal Digital Assistants and Graphing Calculators

1. Personal Digital Assistants (PDA’s) are to be utilized for legitimate student organizational purposes only (time management, information storage, contact management, etc).
2. Students are expressly prohibited from using any wireless communications capability of a PDA device or Graphing Calculator (infrared or Bluetooth®). This includes the "beaming" of any information at any time.
3. Abuse of the policy may result in the seizure of the device by school administrators and return to the parent or authorized parental representative.
4. The misuse of a PDA-type device or graphing calculator in an attempt to "cheat" or otherwise share information regarding coursework or testing may result in suspension from school.
5. The misuse of a wireless PDA-type device or graphing calculator in a manner that inhibits, disrupts or interferes in a classroom, school activity or event may result in suspension from school.
6. The school district and its employees are not responsible for lost, stolen, and/or damaged telecommunication devices and other personal property of a student.


Authority: Oklahoma Statutes, Title 70, Section 24-101.1. Broken Arrow Board of Education Policy Adoption, August 7, 1989, amended September 2, 1997, amended September 17, 2001, amended November 18, 2002; revised April 11, 2005.