Nantucket school committee adopts all-day ban on student cell phones

The Nantucket Public Schools School Committee voted to adopt Policy IJNDD, a districtwide restriction on cell phone and personal electronic device use during the school day, after about an hour of public comment and a district presentation. Committee members called for implementation planning but the motion to adopt the policy carried at the meeting.

Supporters told the committee the change is intended to reduce classroom distraction, improve social interaction and lower safety risks during emergencies. "Nantucket Public Schools draft policy is the model of best practices across the country, and I'm here to fully endorse and urge your positive vote tonight," said Christine Venise, CEO of Unite for Safe Social Media, citing national research on distraction and mental health.

Why it matters: district officials and speakers said the policy aims to remove persistent classroom interruptions and encourage face-to-face interactions. Several speakers referenced results from other Massachusetts districts, including Martha's Vineyard, which implemented a similar approach this year.

Teachers and school staff described classroom…