Bus drivers using cell phones on job

School bus drivers using cell phones on the job has taken some members of the State Board of Education by surprise.

The board unanimously approved a policy Friday afternoon requiring districts to implement guidelines on cell phones and other electronic devices for students.

A state PTA representative, however, questioned whether the policy should apply to bus drivers.

State PTA officials have been getting phone calls and e-mails from worried parents. The concerns started after a California train wreck occurred in which the engineer reportedly was using a cell phone, said Ronda Rose, state PTA community involvement commissioner.

"It is happening on our school buses," Rose told the board's Law and Policy Committee.

Board member Debra Roberts was shocked by this information.

"That's a little scary, rather startling," Roberts said. "I thought they (bus drivers) would have a little more common sense than that."

Board members said they were told districts have policies in place regarding bus drivers and cell phones. The board plans to ask district officials to investigate immediately.

"There is always two issues: Does the district have a policy and are they following the policy?" board member Greg Haws told the Deseret News.

Committee members pointed out that if the board prohibits district employees from using cell phones, it would include teachers.

The only specific mandate in the new electronic devices policy is districts must ban cell phones during state-required testing. School boards have until April 1 to implement their policy.

State education staff is finalizing a model policy for districts. Some suggestions include defining electronic devices as well as what part of the school day students can use them. It advises stating what grade levels the rule applies to, consequences for breaking the rules and exceptions, such as students with medical issues.

Many districts already have some type of cell phone policy. The rules and consequences vary district to district.

---

E-mail: astewart@desnews.com