Policy committee holds proposed electronic‑devices ban after months of surveys and focus groups

The Wallingford‑Swarthmore School District policy committee reviewed a substantially revised draft of Policy 2.37 and its accompanying administrative regulation on electronic devices on Feb. 1, and asked administration to make clarifying changes and return the policy to the committee rather than advance it to the full board this month.

Superintendent‑level presenter Dr. Scanlon said the district had pursued an extended public process — an October forum, multiple focus groups and January surveys — to shape the draft. “This has been a fascinating experience and a very, I think, a very engaging time to gather information and learn about a topic,” Dr. Scanlon said. He told the committee the surveys drew nearly 1,100 parent responses (about a third of families), roughly 76% of high school students and about 70% of middle school students, and roughly half of professional staff.

Committee members and school leaders described wide agreement that cellphones and other devices create classroom distractions, but they differed on how strict a policy should be at the high‑school…