Board approves second reading of districtwide student cell-phone ban with limited exceptions

The Unity County School District No. 1 Board of Trustees approved a second reading of policy JFCK, the district's student cell-phone use policy, after a presentation and brief discussion at its regular meeting. The board voted to adopt the policy following a motion and second; the motion passed with the board responding "Aye" and the chair announcing the motion carries. The policy establishes a default ban on student cell-phone use during instructional time and on buses, with written exceptions where the building principal, coach, sponsor, route or activity driver may authorize use for limited purposes. Superintendent Thomas told trustees the policy was written to protect academic time while retaining narrowly defined flexibility for "emergency contact, health monitoring, delayed or extended travel." He said administrators should exercise that discretion sparingly. Supporters and critics had opportunities to comment during the board's discussion. A student representative, Dominic Stewart, said the change had improved student interaction: "I actually like this phone ban. Because for me, like, socially and like mentally, like school's been a lot easier this year. When not everyone's on their phones ... my relationships with my friends has also grown," Stewart said. Thomas noted the policy also allows students access to phones through school staff in emergencies and that the district is aligning the policy with federal confidentiality obligations under FERPA. Board members discussed implementation and enforcement. Trustees acknowledged uneven enforcement during last year's informal approach and said a uniform district policy should reduce variability. Thomas said the district expects some "growing pains," particularly around bus routes and out-of-district activities, and that the policy permits coach- or principal-authorized limited phone use on overnight trips or in true emergencies. The policy moves from district discussion to a second-reading approval in the meeting's action items and was adopted at that reading. The board indicated administrators will develop guidelines for consistent enforcement, and the superintendent said staff would work with coaches and principals to clarify limits and procedures.