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Dorchester 02 policy committee debates how to meet state 'bell-to-bell' phone rule
Summary
At an Oct. 28 Dorchester 02 policy meeting, members discussed changes to policy JICJR to comply with a new state proviso restricting student phone access "bell to bell," focusing on whether high-school phones should be stored in backpacks or wall pouches, how to enforce searches, and documented exceptions for medical needs.
At a Dorchester 02 policy committee meeting on Oct. 28, members reviewed proposed amendments to policy JICJR (possession and use of personal electronic devices) to align local rules with a new state proviso that bars student phone access during the instructional day.
Speaker 1 (Unidentified speaker) framed the change as a state-driven requirement, saying "bell to bell is the new criteria," and noted elementary and middle-school language was already largely compliant while most edits would affect high schools. Committee members discussed operational options — continuing wall-mounted pouches, requiring phones remain in backpacks all day, or designating another district location for storage.
Several administrators described local experience enforcing the prior rule. Speaker 3 said some schools used a blend of pouches and backpacks and that teachers saw fewer repeat offenders under the earlier pouch system. "We had actually showed, like, how many books were checked out… it literally increased over 50% because kids were now going and checking out books," Speaker 3 said, citing a media specialist's report of higher library circulation after tighter phone restrictions.
Others raised practical concerns about policing and consistency. Speaker 4 warned that blended approaches could create inconsistent discipline across buildings, asking how random searches should be handled if some schools permitted backpacks and others used pouches. Speaker 5 urged a single, clear expectation for families and staff, saying unified rules make enforcement and communication easier.
On specific edits, Speaker 1 proposed wording that devices be "stored in an area designated by the superintendent" for high schools rather than mandating a particular storage mechanism, and recommended removing "pocket" from middle-school text. The committee discussed preserving documented exceptions for students with 504 plans or IEPs; Speaker 1 and others agreed accommodations should remain in place and be documented in student files.
Members also noted state timing: staff said state guidance is expected by January and emphasized the need for a communications rollout so families understand the change. "We have to put some information out, before we go home at the end of the semester," Speaker 5 said, urging November notices, graphics and social media outreach. Several speakers warned the state has tied compliance to funding, increasing the stakes for the district to adopt compliant language and follow-through.
The meeting ended without a formal vote on the policy text. Speaker 1 said staff would finalize the revised language and issue operational guidance and a memo to principals and teachers. Speaker 1 then asked for a motion to adjourn; the motion was made and Speaker 1 recorded a second by "Miss Crosby," and the committee adjourned.
Next steps: staff will draft the final policy edits reflecting superintendent-designated storage language, clarify bus and middle-school provisions, preserve documented medical/504/IEP exceptions, and launch a communication plan ahead of the state-required implementation window in January.
