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Summersville board adopts state‑mandated ban on personal devices during instructional day
Summary
The Summersville School Board unanimously adopted policy JICJ to prohibit student use of cell phones and other personal electronic communication devices from the first bell to dismissal, with exceptions for medical, disability and language‑proficiency needs.
The Summersville School Board on Aug. 26 adopted revised policy JICJ requiring students to keep personal electronic devices off during instructional hours, following new state law language.
Board Member Marsha Brown read the statute language during the meeting: "Such policy shall prohibit all personal communication device use by students from when the first bell rings to start instructional time until the dismissal bell rings at the end of the academic school day." Brown and other board members said the language reflects House Bill 2, which the state inserted into broader legislation.
The policy includes case‑by‑case exceptions for medical needs, Individualized Education Programs (IEPs), 504 plans and language proficiency. A board member asked whether the exception language had been vetted; a board representative said the district used model language from the New Hampshire School Board Association and that "their legal counsel has vetted that language and recommended it," referencing the association's review.
Board members discussed logistics and enforcement. Officials noted the district has issued one‑to‑one laptops and that students could use school accounts for emergency communication if needed. "In an emergency ... students should not be using their cell phones, even though that's the typical reaction," a district official said during discussion, cautioning about standard emergency procedures and communication routing through school administrative staff.
The board voted to waive the usual second reading and adopt JICJ at the meeting. Members said the high school and middle school will communicate the new rules to families and staff before classes begin.
Context: the state requirement prompted the board to revise two existing policies into JICJ and incorporate the updated language into student handbooks. The board also noted it will review the policy annually as required.
