SLIPPERY ROCK TWP — Even as some parents push back against Slippery Rock Area High School’s new cellphone policy, its leaders are steadfast in the belief that it has improved education at the school.

Jesse Pattison, the high school’s assistant principal, gave an update on the enforcement of the policy and some outcomes at an educational programming committee meeting on Monday evening, Oct. 27.

“Right from the get-go, it has been a really, really good experience. Our students have done a phenomenal job with the expectations,” Pattison told the committee.

He said on the first day of school, administration laid out the expectations and consequences directly to the students.

On first offense, a student’s electronic device is taken until the end of the day, when they can pick it up. On second offense, a parent must pick up the device instead. On third offense, the infraction is considered insubordination.

“So far this year, for electronic devices — which would include telephones, earbuds, smartwatches and things like that — we’ve had 47 first offenses, but we’ve only had nine second offenses. To date, we’ve not had any third offenses which, to me, is an indication that things are working really well,” Pattison said.

He said he has seen changes, such as a significant increase in connections and conversations being made within the school grounds. He also noted a decline in behavioral issues and the lack of any altercations on school grounds since the new year began.

“I think that right there is an indication that overall, we’re not having those high levels of emotions that we would see quite often coming about from social media use during the school day,” Pattison said.

He also noted that during the tar fire evacuation on Sept. 19, 12 students were caught for their first offense because they were recording the situation.

“The issue was staff members were telling them to get back. Students weren’t paying attention because they were on their phone. So, it was a great argument as to it actually improved school safety, because they weren’t listening to staff members at that point,” Pattison said.

While a few parents have expressed their discontent over the new phone policy, he said he believes most parents are on board with it.

“At the end of the day, that’s where our process and procedures come into play. First time, we have that conversation (with the student), and the second time, the parent has to come in and pick it up,” Pattison said.