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School committee weighs cellphone limits; members favor student input and phased approach
Summary
The School Committee discussed two draft cellphone policies for Northampton schools and directed administration to develop a plan that differentiates between elementary/middle and high school, includes student participation, and returns recommendations in August.
The Northampton School Committee spent extensive time on June 12 reviewing two draft cellphone policies and seeking direction on whether to adopt a prescriptive ban, or a shorter policy that gives administrators and the superintendent latitude to set school-specific procedures in consultation with students and staff.
At the start of the conversation the committee heard a presentation of national and local statistics characterizing the scale of student cellphone use and potential harms. One speaker summarized the research: "97 percent of students use cell phones during the school day. 72 percent of high school teachers report that it’s a major distraction in classes," and noted concerns about cyberbullying and adolescent mental health.
Committee members broadly agreed that the issue should be approached differently across grade levels.…
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