Princeton board reviews new phone rule: phones must be off and put away starting Jan. 1

At a first reading Nov. 4, Princeton City Schools Superintendent Mister Card told the board the district will implement a new personal communication devices (PCD) policy requiring students to put phones away and turn them off during the school day beginning Jan. 1. "As of January 1, phones need to be put away and off during the school day," Card said, adding the policy allows leeway for IEP/504 emergency situations and teacher- or principal-authorized instructional uses.

Board members pressed on implementation details: who determines the exceptions, how staff will enforce the rule, and how to handle wearable devices. Card said principals and teachers would have "a little wiggle room" for instructional uses and that the district will hold class meetings and parent communications before the start date. Board members voiced concerns about students using smartwatches and about consistency between classrooms: "Each teacher would have to be clear cut, everybody following it," one member said.

Card described a gradual roll-out with communications to families in November and December and class meetings led by school administrators. He said some buildings already use phone-storage systems in classrooms and that staff will monitor compliance; the board did not take a final vote at the first reading.