Tuesday, at around 8:30 pm, after a 3-hour-long discussion, the LVUSD Board of Education voted 3-2 in favor of amending the language of board policy 5131.8: Moblie Communication Devices, known as “Off-and-Away all day, bell to bell for mobile communication devices.” At the beginning of the 2025-2026 school year, Agoura and Calabasas High School students will not be allowed to use mobile communication devices from when the first bell rings to the last.
This decision comes after the controversy at the last board meeting over whether “Yondr” pouches (magnetic phone bags) should be part of the new bell-to-bell policy. However, at the beginning of the meeting, the President of the LVUSD Board of Education, Dallas Lawrence, removed the discussion of Yondr pouches from the agenda.
“After a unanimous decision at the last meeting, we will not be moving forward with Yondr Bags,” said Lawrence.
The meeting then started with public comments. These comments lasted about 2 hours. Each person was allowed 3 minutes of uninterrupted time, and board members were not allowed to chime in.
However, several times, Lawrence let parents continue past the 3-minute timer (displayed on the board) for an average of 38 seconds, most notably only parents on his side of the argument. Teachers and students noted this time extension and began calling out time once the 3 minutes were up.
“I consider myself to be by the book. So, when President Lawrence cut some speakers off at exactly the 3-minute mark, that’s completely understandable; however, I expect the same to happen to all speakers regardless of their stance as that is extremely inequitable,” said ASB President Aaron.
The demographic for those in favor of the policy were all parents, most parents of students in grades K-8, some of high school students, and even one parent from out of the district. Those opposed to the policy at the meeting were all LVUSD teachers, a few high school parents, and students. Around 30 parents, 8 students, and 9 teachers came to show support and/or speak. 7 of the 8 students spoke, including Aaron and ASB Vice President Auden Gordon. Aaron and Gordon prepared two speeches with the support and approval of all 32 members in ASB representing the 1,701 students at CHS. They argued three main points: the current off-and-away policy is working, practicing college-and-career readiness, and fears over CHS’s current system with 5-Star.
“I fully support the idea of disconnecting from phones while in class. We are there to learn, focus, and engage with our teachers and peers,” said Aaron. “Lunch isn’t instructional time; these moments are ours to recharge, connect with friends, and prepare for the rest of the day. Phones play a huge role in that.”
Aaron pointed to the use of the 5-Star app as evidence of the usefulness and necessity of the phone on campus.
“This year, I implemented the 5-Star student engagement app, which 96.6% of students have downloaded. 5-Star is now the main source of identification in the morning, scanning release periods throughout the day and signing up for teacher support,” said Aaron. “Since its launch, we’ve seen tangible results: increased school attendance, more student participation, and an overall boost in engagement. Banning phones during breaks would negatively impact student engagement, make it harder to stay informed about school events, disrupt the balance we have created with the Off-and-Away policy, and undoubtedly decrease enrollment within our schools.”
As part of an LCAP goal, College and Career readiness has been at the forefront of high schools for the last couple of years. Aaron and Auden, as well as teachers and students from Agoura and CHS, pointed out that taking away phones diminishes a student’s ability to be ready for the future.
“Middle and high school are meant to prepare students for college and adult life. During this time, students learn study skills and time management. Phone usage plays into both of these things, not exactly in a positive light. However, it also gives students the opportunity to learn and manage their time properly and avoid other distractions,” said Agoura High School sophomore Jacob Sostroin.
Parents argued that phones are more of a distraction than a student benefit. Several parents noted that they would rather their kids socialize during breaks than on personal devices. The other concern was safety, while parents would love to have instant contact with their child in case of an emergency, they understand that the Off-and-Away policy can possibly save their child.
“In those moments [of emergency], they need to be listening to teachers, they need to be listening to other personnel who I trust to be telling them what to do,” said Co-President of Chaparral PFC Nicole Perkin.
Teachers and staff expressed disappointment that no board members actively visited LVUSD high schools to speak to staff and students.
“We are surprised and a bit disappointed that board members have not actively sought more input from those responsible for enforcing these policies on the ground. It seems to be a pattern emerging for the board to pass updated policies without consulting the key stakeholders who are boots on the ground doing the work,” said Academic Counselor at CHS Emily Ritchey.
In response, the Vice President of the board, Lesli Stein, acknowledged that she visited Calabasas High School earlier this semester; she was one of the two who voted against the policy. On the other hand, Lawrence had visited Newport Beach High School and has yet to appear at an LVUSD High School regarding this issue.
“I walked the campus [CHS] with principal Wutkee and the assistant principals. I talked to students, and I saw it from my own eyes. The principal reported to me that they were out there to see if students on their cell phones are ok and check-in,” said Stein.
Rounding out the meeting, board members were permitted to speak their side on the issue. Lawrence provided a slideshow presentation with his speech, something a board President has never done before, creating controversy in the LVUSD office.
“We kept getting asked why do we have to ban it during lunch, why can’t we just ban it in classrooms, and what you’re seeing is students are telling us they are addicted to their cell phones, it is an addiction like a drug,” said Lawrence about the slide deck.
Las Virgenes Educators Association President Darci Miller took issue with Lawrence’s lack of transparency on what would be brought up in the meeting.
“In my 20-plus years in this district, coming to these meetings, watching it, Mr. Lawrence, I appreciate that you reflected on things, you did your research, but presenting a slide deck to the audience, to people watching, and not have been on the agenda is totally misleading,” said Miller. “That’s the stuff that we’re talking about. If we would have had this, if we would have had these discussions with the community, with ourselves, it wouldn’t be so contentious in this district. The board does not give presentations without giving ample time for the public to review.”
Board member Angela Cutbill commented in her final remarks that she appreciated the slide deck.
“We don’t often have members give slides and data but it’s certainly okay if not welcomed. I appreciate any board member who wants to demonstrate, I’ve done this before, or show photos or illustrations of the point I’m trying to make,” said Cutbill.
The amendment to the current off-and-away policy was passed, despite opposition from board members Linda Menges and Lesli Stein. Board members Dallas Lawrence, Alan Lazar, and Angela Cutbill voted favorably for the amendment. Now, the question is how schools will enforce it.
“I will say the hard work is now ahead of us,” said Lawrence.
