At the Washington County Board of Education’s June 16 Business Session, WCTA President Carol Mowen provided copies of the first focus group report to Board members with details from the June 4 focus group disussions, including recommendations and concerns, for the then proposed revisions to Policy JICJ Regarding the Use Of Personally-Owned, Electronic Communication Devices & Social Media Platforms During The School Day. At that meeting, the WCBOE adopted the revisions proposed by the Policy Committee. The revised policy puts into place the expectation that WCPS will align to the requirements of Maryland’s new legislation addressing students’ use of cell phones and other personal electronic devices at school, the Joanne C. Benson Maryland Phone-Free Schools Act, for the 2026-2027 school year.
Superintendent Dr. Gary Willow asked WCTA leadership to hold another focus group session to provide feedback on the draft regulation that provides for the administrative management of the policy. This second focus group forum was held on Thursday, July 23. At that meeting, a representative group of WCTA members reviewed and discussed the proposed regulation in detail and provided a number of recommentations and comments. To read the final report that summarizes and synthesizes the July 23 focus group discussions, click here.
WCTA members appreciated the opportunity to provide input into the development of both the policy at the June focus group meeting and the draft regulation in July. The final report has been sent to the members of the Washington County Board of Education and Dr. Willow, posted here on the WCTA website, and will be sent to the WCTA membership in the next E-Advocate publication as well as shared via WCTA social media accounts.
Questions about the report can be sent to Carol Mowen, WCTA president.