CELL PHONE CONCERN BOARD SAYS STUDENTS CHEATING ON TESTS, TAKING LOCKER ROOM PHOTOS.

Byline: Karen Maeshiro Staff Writer

LANCASTER - Saying student cellular phones are creating distractions on campus - and even being used to cheat on tests - Antelope Valley Union High School District trustees are thinking of banning their use during the school day.

The board also is considering tougher penalties and fewer warnings to students who violate the district's cell phone policy.

``Some students will like it, some won't. The sad part is we have students who are complying, and a few who are probably causing problems for others,'' trustee Jim Lott said. ``Most will understand that it should not interfere with the educational process.''

Cell phones are a modern marvel of communication, but in the hands of teenagers they've also become a new headache for high school officials.

Students use cell phones to call and send text messages to friends during class. Some with the latest technology are sending their friends pictures of tests or photos taken inside gymnasium locker rooms.

Students have called their teachers from inside the classroom, only to hang up when the teacher reaches for the phone. That prompts some instructors to turn their classroom phone ringer off, which could be a problem in an emergency, officials said.

The current district policy allows the electronic gadgets on campus and limits their use to before and after school and during lunch time and school activities.

Students get a warning for the first violation. A referral for disciplinary action may be made for the second violation and a loss of cell phone privilege may be imposed for a ``finite time'' for a third violation, under the current policy.

The new policy would allow students to possess cell phones at school, but they would not be permitted to use them, officials said. In addition, the district is considering penalizing students for a first offense, including taking away their phone.

``Taking personal property away can get kind of sticky there. We're still checking with counsel to see if we can take it away and for what period of time,'' Lott said.

The board will discuss a new draft policy at its meeting in August. District administrators said they will draft a policy that will be clearer and easier to enforce.

``Cell phones are a part of life, but they can't be disruptive to the educational process,'' board member Al Beattie said. ``Currently, the policy doesn't set guidelines as to who is being disruptive. We are dealing with kids who have blatantly misused a privilege we gave them. We need to address that.''

The board at its July 10 meeting heard a report from the district staff that for the most part students are responsible in their cell phone use and that the phones are a comfort for parents, who are able to contact their children when necessary.

But ``there were enough incidents during the school year that would indicate we need to further restrict the use of cell phones,'' Assistant Superintendent Jane Maxwell said. ``The principals of the district are recommending a policy that would restrict cell phone use so that cell phones could not be seen or heard during the school day.''

Until this year, cell phones had been illegal on school campuses under a 1980s law aimed at preventing campus drug deals facilitated by pagers. But state lawmakers last year revoked the ban because cell phones have become commonplace.

Karen Maeshiro, [phone]

karen.maeshiro(at)dailynews.com