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Public urges bell-to-bell phone ban; district cites cost and enforcement limits
Summary
Public commenters and some board members recommended a strict "bell-to-bell" ban on student cell phones. District officials said the pouch system and existing prohibitions largely cover instructional time, but a full-day ban poses logistical, cost and enforcement challenges.
During public comment, resident Bill Heap urged the School District of the Chathams to adopt a bell-to-bell cell phone ban similar to a recent Virginia law that restricts student phone possession and use during the entire school day.
"Class to class. I think bell to bell is a better proposition for this, and maybe Doctor Sortino should make this a priority for the coming year," Heap said, citing outcomes reported from districts that implemented strict bans.
Board members and administrators responded with details about the district's current practices and practical limitations. A district official explained that classrooms already require phones to be placed in locked pouches during instructional periods; the district considered a bell-to-bell system but identified several obstacles: the cost of purchasing pouches and staffing arrival/ dismissal points; the risk that students would place inactive or “dummy” phones in pouches; and the difficulty of policing locker storage across large student populations.
"We would still, consider a bell to bell ban because I think that it's better for students," the administrator said, but added that the district had not found full-day implementation feasible at present. The official noted that the district has code-of-conduct provisions and escalated disciplinary responses for repeated or serious infractions, including recording students without permission.
Board members said they have discussed the research on phone use and youth well-being and hold differing views about the need for a full ban. One board member said the district's role is to teach students appropriate technology use and noted infractions have decreased since the district tightened in-class restrictions.
Administrators said the district will continue parent informational sessions and counseling supports to address problematic social-media behavior that often occurs outside school hours but can have in-school effects. They also said they will monitor how the current pouch system performs and reassess whether broader restrictions are feasible.
