This is the scenario provided by Dr Hartmeister, which our group is required to respond to.

This morning I received a telephone call from someone who identified himself as a concerned parent of several students in our school district.  Although the details are scarce and the person refused to identify himself, he expressed concern over privacy interests, student time-on-task (i.e., the distractions that cell phone use, text messaging, etc., can have on both students doing the communicating and others who are not), and social competitiveness/status in terms of students who can't afford the latest technological gadgets.

As you know, I am very new to the district and am only beginning to get familiar with many of our policies and practices.  Due to the fact that over the next several weeks I am going to be in Austin working with the Legislature and the Governor's office in an effort to improve funding for public education in the state, I am unable to take personal responsibility for investigating this person's allegations and concerns.  In my absence, I would ask that the five of you prepare a presentation for our school board that you will provide at the regularly-scheduled board meeting on April 27, 2005.  We will allocate approximately 15 minutes on the board agenda for your presentation (followed by questions) at that meeting.

Your task is this -- I would like you to take a look at everything we presently have in place (both formally and informally) in terms of school district and building-level policies and procedures for allowing students to carry and/or use cell phones, camera phones, instant messaging devices and other related technology.  I am cognizant of the concerns that parents in our community have to maintain contact with their children who attend our schools, and I am certainly aware of safety concerns following incidents like what occurred at Columbine High School in Colorado several years ago.  Nevertheless, I think we need to look at "the big picture" when it comes to this issue, so please feel free to "think outside the box" in developing your presentation for the school board in April.  I would also suggestion that you investigate what, if anything, we are presently doing in the way of professional development for our administrators, teachers and staff to ensure compliance with all policies and practices.

I would like to visit with you for periodic updates concerning your research in conjunction with this request -- perhaps we can do so at our regularly-scheduled administrative team meetings on Wednesday evenings.  In the meantime, please do not hesitate to call or e- mail if you need any additional information or have any questions.  Thank you in advance for your attention to this request.  I know you will do an outstanding job.

Additional hypothetical information about our school district: We are a small, 2A rural Texas school district and presently do NOT have any official policies relating to student cell phone use or harassment / bullying involving instant messaging or other technology devices.

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