Submitted by shadowhawk, Nov 17, 2006 20:09

I believe students should have the right to keep their cell phones as long as they're turned off during class. Students should be able to use them before school and during lunch without penalty. The ban goes back to 1988 when cell phones were largely used by drug dealers and gang members. These days, most people have at least a Trak Phone. It's time for schools to stop being backwards and learn to deal with modern technology and student culture in more creative ways than just banning everything.

Also, the searches that netted the phones disturb me greatly. High schools have no business bringing in metal detectors and searching students with no suspicion of them bringing weapons. There is still such a thing as the Fourth Amendment in this country last time I checked.

I hope the parents and students who are suing Bloomberg and the district win and teach him that people in power who disrespect those they have power over are no longer public servants, but tyrants.

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