WATCH: Principal Refuses to Return Student's Confiscated iPhone 6; Does Policy Go Too Far?

A Philadelphia father filmed and posted to YouTube a heated exchange with the principal of Northeast High School over the confiscation of his daughter’s cell phone.

In the four-and-a-half minute filmed argument, the father demands the return of his daughter’s iPhone 6, saying she needs it to contact him in case of an emergency.

Principal Linda M. Carroll responds that the school’s policy is to keep the phone until the end of the marking period, which is in approximately two weeks. The principal also offers a flip phone as a loaner until the smartphone is returned.

Since its posting on Wednesday, close to half-a-million users have watched the video, with comments coming down on both sides. Some accuse the school of stealing the iPhone 6, while others commend Carroll for sticking to the policy.

In response to the growing controversy, the school’s web page has placed a link to the cell phone policy front and center. It reads:

Students may not possess or use cell phones or other telephonic devices in school. Further, two-way radios, scanners, video cameras and electronic games are not permitted in school. Students who are found to be in possession of any of these devices or are caught using any of these devices during class time or during any testing period, including standardized tests will have the item confiscated. Students possessing cell phones during standardized testing may face consequences from the school, district, and from the State of Pennsylvania.

The confiscated item will be turned over to the principal or his/her designee. The principal/designee shall maintain a record identifying the item confiscated and the student from whom it was taken. All confiscated items will be maintained in a secure (locked) manner.

All confiscated items will be returned on the designated day at the end of each academic quarter. THERE WILL BE NO EXCEPTIONS!

Items confiscated a second time will not be returned until the end of the school year. A parent may be required to come in for any such confiscated item(s). Items, which are not claimed within a school year, or are confiscated in relation to another offense or as a result of a subsequent violation of this policy, will not be returned. The principal may donate such items to charity, destroy them or sell them, using the proceeds for the school.

An operator at Northeast High School said the school is making no comment about the video. An attempt to contact the Philadelphia School District was unsuccessful. A spokesperson with the school district recited the policy to a reporter from CNET.com and said that it is against the law to record someone without their consent.

Take our poll below: How long should schools be permitted to keep a student’s phone?

(Photo: Linda Carroll/screenshot)