New Providence superintendent presents tighter rules on student and staff personal devices for first reading

The New Providence Board of Education on Aug. 14 heard a first reading of revisions to the district's electronic-device rules that would require high school students to secure personal devices in lockers during the school day and update staff expectations for personal device use.

Superintendent Dr. Zirpoli told the board the administration revised policy 5516 (Use of Electronic Communication Devices) and added a companion regulation after a summer-long review of research about screen time and social media's effects on adolescents. "We believe in order to be proactive in responding to the growing body of research showing the impact of excessive screen time ... we must take these intentional steps to limit the use of personal technology," Dr. Zirpoli said.

The revision would require students in grades 9 through 12 to place all personal electronic communication devices'which the policy defines to include cell phones, smart watches and Bluetooth earbuds'in their lockers at the start of the school day and keep them there until dismissal. Juniors and seniors with open lunch privileges would be allowed to access devices while off campus during lunch but must return items to their lockers upon reentry. For grades 7 and 8, the policy's existing requirement remains in force: devices must be turned off and secured in lockers for the school day. Elementary students must keep devices turned off and stored in backpacks or lockers until dismissal.

Dr. Zirpoli said medical exceptions will be handled through an individualized health plan (IHP) supported by a physician's note. He also said building principals will communicate building-level procedures, including locker access and enforcement guidelines, within the next one to two weeks and that staff will provide supports to aid the student transition.

District counsel/administrator Mr. Uglieluro told the board there is a related revision to the staff'use policy (previously titled "personal cellular telephones") that expands the definition of electronic communication devices and clarifies expectations for staff while performing professional responsibilities.

The district presented both revisions and the new regulation as a first reading so the board and community can consider implementation details. The transcript does not record a final vote adopting these policies at the Aug. 14 meeting.

Board members did not record a substantive amendment in the meeting transcript and no timeline for final adoption beyond the scheduled communications was provided.