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School board advances cell‑phone limits after hours of debate over bell‑to‑bell ban
Summary
The Fairbanks North Star Borough School Board advanced a draft policy on personal electronic devices to a second reading after heated debate over an all‑day ban. The administration warned that enforcing a bell‑to‑bell ban would be impractical without extra resources; public testimony was sharply divided.
The Fairbanks North Star Borough School Board voted to send a draft policy limiting students' personal electronic devices to a second reading, setting up a final decision at the board's next meeting.
The policy would regulate cell phones, smart watches, earbuds and similar devices; it would direct administrators to adopt implementing procedures that vary by grade band. Board President Burnett said the policy is intended to improve the learning environment and student well‑being.
Board members debated whether to require an all‑day, bell‑to‑bell ban for all grade levels or leave discretion to principals. "If we're thinking of making this…
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