During the 2023-2024 school year, Ventura Unified School District (VUSD) implemented a new electronic device policy, aimed at limiting the use of cell phones and headphones during instructional minutes. However, with the arrival of the 2024-2025 school year, as well as Foothill Technology High School (Foothill Tech)’s new principal, Courtney Johnson, the enforcement of this policy has evolved, becoming stricter than in the year prior. 

Starting on the first day of the school year, this policy has been steadily advertised by campus decor, staff and faculty, as well as Foothill Tech’s daily announcements. Posters with phrases such as “Free your eyes and your ears” or “Please put away cellular devices” line the walls of every classroom. 

These posters reaffirm the continuous reminders by teachers and faculty at the start of each class period, requesting that students turn their phones off and put them in their backpack. Likewise, during the daily announcements, Foothill Tech’s assistant principal, Franklin Davis, explains that phones and airpods will not be used in the classroom, in the restroom or in the hallways during instructional minutes. 

According to the VUSD Secondary (6-12 Grade) Student Cell Phone/Earbud Expectations and Violation Protocol, the purpose of this policy is to promote focus and respect between teachers and students in the classroom. In accordance with the new policy, Johnson explains, “We’re all human, and it is really challenging for us as teachers and educators to expect you to be able to multitask to a degree to learn really challenging content while having a phone in your hands … We’re here to help you guys understand and synthesize connections, and these are hard things that we are asking you guys to do, so we need to minimize the distractions.”

The intent of this policy is to make it clear that cell phones should not be used during class, as this is the key to reducing stress and removing distractions in the school environment. Nevertheless, staff on campus have varying methods of enforcing this policy. 

For instance, a long withstanding math teacher on Foothill Tech’s campus, Richard Villano stated, “I am removing them from students completely, having them put them in their backpacks, make sure they are powered off and silenced and then the backpacks go along the perimeter of the room.” 

On the other hand, chemistry and AP physics teacher, John Weldele, has a slightly different approach, “I’m talking about it with students, giving them a couple warnings and then possibly taking the phones up to the office for parents to pick up. It seems like that is strong enough motivation to not take them out during class.”

If this policy is violated, there are varying protocols for each “offense” established in the VUSD protocol. In this upcoming school year, the policy is being enhanced when students leave their classrooms during critical instructional minutes. The added measures taken to ensure the minimization of phone use are security cameras, limited bathrooms and staff and faculty posted around the hallways. 

Even so, Johnson emphasizes the fact that phones are not being fully stripped away from students, as no staff or faculty on campus will deny students the ability to use their phone in an emergency situation. 

With the advent of such regulations, it is expected that there will be students who find that this policy is somewhat unfair. Jayden Wallace ‘25 expresses, “[Students] should be treated like adults and don’t necessarily need phone rules because we can use them with maturity … they are helpful calculators, access to the internet, AI, picture-taking and other useful tools”. 

Similarly, Sadie Lagerquist ‘26 points out, “I can see how phones can be annoying for teachers and interrupt class time, yet on the other hand, I feel like being able to listen to music during silent work can benefit many students.” 

Despite any dismay this policy may evoke, its application is aimed at improving the well-being of all students on campus. In the coming weeks, students will adjust to the enforcement and application of the “new” cell phone policy and begin to recognize its positive impact on campus. 

Overall, Johnson hopes to build upon the foundation and culture that Foothill Tech has already established, minimizing distractions and stress for all Dragons, guaranteeing that this year truly is “a year for the records”.