Decision on cellphone use in Vancouver schools pushed back to future school board meeting
![Cellphone school A student uses a cellphone in a classroom in this undated stock image. (Shutterstock)](/content/dam/ctvnews/en/images/2024/5/28/cellphone-school-1-6903613-1716911856516.jpg)
A discussion on cellphone use for Vancouver students in kindergarten to Grade 6 has been put off to a future school board meeting, trustees decided Monday.
The original motion, which was on Monday night's school board agenda, was initially brought forward by school board chair Victoria Jung.
"We've heard that digital devices are quite distracting in a learning environment," Jung said Monday night while presenting her motion. "Our role is to create safe and healthy environments for kids to learn in and also prepare them for the world outside of school."
But trustee Suzie Mah called for the motion to be delayed, saying quorum wasn't met at an education plan committee where the matter was up for discussion. Only two out of four committee members attended that meeting.
Mah referred to a copy of Robert's Rules of Order, saying no decisions were able to me made by the committee at that gathering. As a result, she argued, the issue shouldn't have been added to the board's agenda Monday night.
"The other day, when we did not have quorum at that meeting, there was no meeting. It was an informal chat," Mah said. "I'm puzzled as to why the motion is now before us."
But Jung pointed to board policy, which she said "supersedes Robert's Rules." The board's policy stipulates that, when a quorum isn't reached, a committee can forward urgent matters to the board.
"There will always be meetings where people are not available," Jung said. "We're following our guidelines."
Even so, four trustees voted in favour of delaying the motion, while three voted against the postponement.
Earlier this year, B.C.'s premier announced districts would be required to have "appropriate" policies in place limiting students' use of devices by the start of the 2024-2025 school year.
The measure being proposed in Vancouver is to update schools' codes of conduct for kids in kindergarten through Grade 6 so that they "will be required to keep phones on silent and out of sight for the entire school day unless they get explicit permission from an educator," according to Jung's motion.
A policy for middle and high schools is not spelled out. Rather, the motion asks that the board agree to direct the superintendent to have policies proposed and a plan for implementation in place by July 1.
A new date for when the matter will be discussed by the school board has not been set.
With files from CTV News Vancouver's Lisa Steacy
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
![](https://www.ctvnews.ca/polopoly_fs/1.7029443.1725744633!/httpImage/image.png_gen/derivatives/landscape_800/image.png)
Police release video of Toronto plaza shooting that killed university student
A university student from Brampton was killed when two shooters fired indiscriminately into a crowded plaza in Toronto last month in what police say was a 'cowardly act.'
'Hopeless and helpless': Regina mother seeks help to treat rare spinal disease
Mary Grace Rico is seeking help in getting treatment for a rare spinal condition.
The iPhone is getting a 'glow' up. What to expect from Apple's Monday event
Apple excited fans with its vision for its 'Apple Intelligence' artificial intelligence system earlier this year. Now, it's time for the company to prove it really works.
No more porta-potties at B.C. construction sites starting Oct. 1
What some B.C. construction workers describe as the worst aspect of their jobs will be coming to an end next month, the province announced.
'Extremely vigorous' wildfire activity in central B.C. prompts crews to back off for safety
The wildfire fight in central B.C. intensified Friday, according to officials.
Aryna Sabalenka beats Jessica Pegula to win the U.S. Open for her third Grand Slam title
Aryna Sabalenka got past Jessica Pegula 7-5, 7-5 in a rollicking U.S. Open women’s final Saturday to win her first championship at Flushing Meadows and third Grand Slam title of her career.
They were due to leave for their dream cruise in May. Three months on they’re still stuck at the departure port
It was the years-long cruise that was supposed to set sail, but saw its departure postponed… postponed… and postponed again.
Trudeau insists he's staying on as Liberal leader. But what if he changes his mind?
The Liberal caucus is set to meet in Nanaimo, B.C., next week for a retreat ahead of the fall parliamentary sitting. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau insists he will lead his party into the next election despite polls citing his unpopularity among Canadians. Here's a look at what would happen if he decided to call it quits.