Lehighton Area School District administration addressed concerns last week about student cellphone use during the school day and the dress code for faculty and staff.

Superintendent Jason Moser provided an overview of the district’s existing policy on electronic devices, citing Policy 237, which broadly prohibits student cellphone use during the school day. However, he noted that the policy leaves room for interpretation at the building level.

“Building principals, in consultation with the superintendent, are authorized to determine the extent of the use of electronic devices within their buildings and programs,” Moser said.

Board members debated whether the policy should be tightened to enforce a stricter ban on student cellphone use from bell to bell.

“I’d love to hear from some of the teachers,” director Jeremy Glaush said. “They’re the ones who are in the trenches. They’re the ones who see the usage. They’re the ones who have to reprimand the students.”

Board President Joy Beers cited reports that excessive phone use in schools can contribute to distractions and bullying. Others acknowledged the practicality of cellphones for educational purposes and emergency situations.

Administrators agreed that clearer enforcement guidelines would benefit both staff and students.

“I think our administrators would like clear direction,” Moser said. “I don’t think that there is resistance against this, but it takes communication and over-communication with families so they know what the expectations are.”

Staff dress code

The board also discussed faculty and staff dress, a topic that has come up periodically in past meetings.

Directors noted concerns from parents about the professionalism of staff attire, citing instances of male teachers wearing jeans and T-shirts and female staff wearing short skirts and high heels.

“My principals always wore suits and ties,” Glaush said. “I don’t think teachers need to be stuck on that all the time, but I do think the way you dress makes a marked difference in the way a child reacts to a teacher. The way you dress is the way you are perceived.”

Other board members expressed a desire for a balanced approach, advocating for business casual as the standard while allowing dress-down days for special occasions.

“I don’t think high heels are appropriate when dealing with young kids, but I see nothing wrong with business casual,” director Duane Dellecker added.

Moser acknowledged the need for a practical dress code that accounts for the diverse roles within the district.

“There is a difference amongst what your actual jobs are,” he said. “Our kindergarten teachers, who get down on the floor for reading time, shouldn’t have to worry about ruining expensive dress clothes. But there should still be a level of professionalism.”

Additionally, some board members questioned whether staff consistently wear their ID badges, which are meant to help students and visitors easily identify school personnel. Moser said consistent badge use is an important safety measure.

Directors agreed to have administration draft clear guidelines to raise the standard of professionalism while maintaining flexibility for job-specific needs.

“I think I would ask Jason (Moser) to take a stab at this to move the bar in a more professional direction,” Beers said.