Mukwonago Board Delays Vote on Ordinance to Fine Students for Cell Phone Use Amid Parental Pushback

The Village of Mukwonago Board has delayed a decision on an ordinance that could impose fines on children for using cell phones in class. According to WISN, the action came after parents objected during a public meeting. “The only reason I heard about this was because the news person was calling me,” said a parent who was taken aback.

It has been difficult to enforce the Mukwonago School District’s cell phone prohibition. The administration has encountered challenges, Superintendent Joe Koch noted, pointing out that some parents have been combative. Using a statement obtained by WISN, he stated, “We’ve had parents on the phone with our administration being, I would say, very aggressive with their language,” and that some parents are telling their kids to break the rules. “You know, using profanity with our administrators as they try to administer this policy and telling their children that it’s OK to use your phone in school,” he said.

A vote on an ordinance to enforce judicial penalties for repeat policy offenders was tabled by the Mukwonago Village Board. On December 4, the matter will be brought back to the village Committee of the Whole for more debate. The proposal was opposed by Trustees Darlene Johnson and Eric Brill, and supported by Trustees Ken Johnson, Dale Porter, and Fred Winchowky. According to TMJ4, John Meiners and Scott Reeves, two trustees, were ill and could not attend.

Parents voiced their concerns during the board meeting about the criminalization of cell phone use in schools, calling it a “slippery slope.” They contended that in addition to creating questions about student rights and autonomy, such actions might exacerbate tensions between families and school administrators. This point of view was expressed in WISN comments and mirrored in public remarks. It is unclear if these steps will be taken or if parental resistance will result in modifications to the way that schools handle digital discipline.

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