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Public urges bell-to-bell phone ban; district cites cost, logistics and existing pouches
Summary
At the School District of the Chathams meeting, public commenter Bill Heap urged a bell-to-bell ban on student phones citing Virginia’s recent law and research; district officials said classrooms already use locked pouches and cited equipment, staffing and enforcement costs as obstacles to districtwide bell-to-bell implementation.
Bill Heap, a Chatham resident, urged the School District of the Chathams board to adopt a “bell-to-bell” ban on student cell phones, pointing to recent Virginia legislation and research he said show phone-free school days improve concentration and reduce bullying. “Kudos to Virginia for doing something about it. … Bell to bell is a better proposition,” Heap told the board.
District leaders told the board they already restrict phones during class and use locked pouches in which students store devices for periods.…
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