The Carbon School District cellphone ban, announced on Oct. 8, has undergone another change from its initial form. Originally the policy was set to take effect on Monday, Oct. 21, which coincided with the start of the district’s second quarter. However, according to an email sent out to parents on Wednesday, Oct. 16, the original date will instead be the start of a soft rollout of the policy.

In a message sent out by district Superintendent Mika Salas, she explained to parents,” We will begin a “soft rollout” for the new cellphone policy that will be in effect until November 13. This means that we are going to enforce the ban on cellphones during instructional time and use reminders for non instructional time to help students adjust to the new expectations.” 

This rollout period will provide the secondary schools within the district to gauge the efficacy of the policy before it is officially implemented in November. “The pouches will not be issued until the new policy is implemented. This means that students will be expected to keep their phones out of sight during class without the use of the pouches.”

The signal-blocking pouches planned to be used by the district have been the source of some controversy. At a recent Board of Education meeting, one parent questioned the legality of the signal-blocking pouches,” there’s an FCC restriction, which the folks that are making these pouches ignored; And that is to jam a cellphone signal in any way is a violation”

The soft rollout period end date of Nov. 13 also coincides with the next Board of Education Meeting, in which the policy will be examined and voted on by the Board. Ending the email, Salas states,” We hope that enforcing a strict ban during class time and constantly reminding students during non instructional times will help the students adjust to the upcoming changes. We appreciate your support as parents to encourage students to follow the expectations.”