JS students: We want our MP3s

JERSEY SHORE - Jersey Shore Area High School students are asking for limited use of audio MP3 music players during the school day.

The request was made at Monday night's school board work session by Student Council president Ethan Bardell and vice president Autumn Shirey.

Bardell and Shirey told the board that more than 90 percent of the student body favors the idea.

Board president Craig M. Allen told the student the item will "probably be on the agenda" at the next meeting.

The two seniors said use of the devices could be limited to lunch periods, homerooms and study halls. Some board members suggested they might be used only during lunch periods and before classes officially start.

Allen told the students the best chance of the request being granted would be on a pilot basis.

High school principal Mary Thomas introduced the students but took no official position.

According to the student leaders, the policy lumps the devices along with others such as walkie-talkies that students are prohibited to use during school time.

They requested a waiver of the electronic devices policy and provided the results of three surveys - all of which showed the student body in favor by more than 90 percent. The students said use of the MP3 players would be a "privilege that could be taken away" if abused.

Other items likely to be on the March 22 agenda include acceptance of the 2010-11 school calendar, amending the policy and fees for use of school facilities by non-school sports organizations and a decision on whether to resume the middle school boys soccer team.

Athletic director Bill Mincer said 11 students already have signed up for middle school soccer. He also said high school boys soccer coach Seth Steele has indicated he will serve as the middle school coach this spring if a team is permitted and enough players come out.

He was advised that more than 11 players must sign up to ensure the team always has enough players for its matches. Comments during the discussion suggested the more players, the better the changes of the program being reinstated.

The board also accepted letters of retirement at the meeting from Jersey Shore Elementary School reading teacher Ronna Lee Thompson, effective today, and Avis Elementary School third-grade teacher Matthew W. Masters, effective March 1.