Danbury schools say new cell‑phone policy reduced classroom disruptions and aided emergency communications

District officials reported early results from a new cell‑phone policy that requires students to store phones during the school day, saying teachers report fewer in‑class disruptions and that centralized emergency communications reduced misinformation during incidents.

Why it matters: Cell‑phone rules intersect with school safety, parent communications and student behavior; administrators said removing phones has tradeoffs in parent expectations versus on‑campus safety protocols.

Administrators described a recent case in which students texting during a nearby police incident spread unverified information; the district said that in lockdown scenarios the rapid circulation of unverified text messages can lead parents to converge on school parking lots and obstruct emergency responses. An administrator explained that the district now requires phones to be stored in lockers or classroom lockboxes during the day and that administrators use ParentSquare and robocalls to send verified, real‑time updates to families about emergencies and all‑clear notices.

Staff confirmed schools retain standard emergency procedures: shelter‑in‑place, lockdown and incident command protocols; principals review drills monthly and the cabinet reviews protocols at least monthly. The district said building‑level variations exist (for example, some middle schools without lockers use bags), and that administrators will refine the approach during the school year.

Discussion vs. decision: Administrators described the policy implementation and ongoing data collection; no board vote was recorded. Board members asked for a survey to measure effects and for clearer feedback loops to teachers about disciplinary follow‑up when students violate the phone policy.

What to watch: District data on behavioral incidents and any board discussion about standardizing locker/lockbox practices between buildings.