Tougher rules needed for students with cell phones

We're glad public school students have the right to carry cell phones in their book bags in case of emergency or for after-school activities. However, the rules about inappropriate use of cell phones need to be much tougher.

In Highlands County, violations of the school district's code of conduct handbook forbid cell phones to be turned on during school hours. They are to be stored, not displayed, and they are not to disrupt other students.

Just like in many places, though, some students in Highlands County are abusing this. They are sending inappropriate photos or trying to cheat on tests. One student tried to take a photograph of his test. The bigger problem is phones going off during class time and not being turned off.

School officials are frustrated that the consequences for misusing cells phones during school are not stringent enough. It's one thing if it's a serious offense, such as "sexting," which involves sending obscene language or images to other students, and something else if it's something like a phone ringing during class. There are stiffer penalties for the more serious abuses.

We believe students should be able to carry their cell phones with them in their book bags, as long as they are turned off. They should have a way to contact parents after school to arrange rides home. Many extracurricular activities finish late and students need phones. Pay phones aren't readily available these days.

Administrators want the numerous warnings stiffened for offenders. If a phone goes off in someone's backpack, they are warned. The phone is not supposed to be turned on. After that warning, there isn't much more punishment. Some offenders keep causing problems.

We believe students should be warned for minor offenses, but one warning should do it. After that, they should get their phones taken away - at least temporarily. They would learn fast not to mess with the rules.

Most students don't violate this policy, but a few do. For them, the prospect of losing their phone would go a long way to fixing many of these problems.