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Parents, teachers and experts press Ann Arbor board for districtwide bell-to-bell phone ban
Summary
Dozens of parents, teachers and researchers urged the Ann Arbor Public Schools board to adopt a bell-to-bell phone-free policy with secure device storage, citing classroom distraction, mental-health concerns and local pilot results; the board referred the petition to committee for further consideration.
Dozens of parents, teachers and researchers told the Ann Arbor Public Schools Board of Education on Nov. 5 that the district should adopt a bell-to-bell phone-free policy with secure centralized device storage.
Public commenters across 11 speakers said smartphones disrupt classroom learning and contribute to anxiety and social harms. "Phones distract our teens even when they are in a backpack or a cubby," said Dee Lamphere, a parent and former high-school teacher, who urged a policy that includes secure storage rather than teacher‑policed cubbies. Several speakers cited research and local pilot results, and asked the board to fund implementation.
Why it matters: Supporters said a districtwide policy would reduce daily classroom policing, improve engagement, and protect students' mental health. Jonathan Terhorst, a statistics professor, presented large-scale survey correlations he said link phone-based activities to lower self-reported happiness among adolescents. Brent Richards, a Pioneer High School teacher, cited a local survey and testimony that teachers and parents had prepared a policy that was not implemented this fall and urged the board to act.
What speakers proposed: Commenters generally favored a districtwide bell-to-bell ban paired with centralized, secure storage and limited exceptions for students with documented IEP, 504 or medical needs. Multiple speakers referenced pilot findings at Skyline and Pioneer that they said showed reduced distraction and improved classroom engagement; Greg Gage, a neuroscientist, cited pilot statistics and national surveys in support of a ban. Some speakers urged adoption of the "Away for the Day" campaign as an implementation model.
Board response and next steps: Superintendent Jazz Parks told the board the issue will go to committee for further discussion and said district administration and board members "support the work" underway to limit smartphone use. The board did not take immediate action on a districtwide policy on Nov. 5; committee review and additional staff reports were expected.
Quotes: "My name is Amiel Handelsman, and I'm back again to speak on behalf of parents and teachers, petitioning you for district wide first bell to last bell phone free schools using secure device storage," Amiel Handelsman said during public comment. Trustee Baskett described a separate, formal disciplinary motion later in the meeting as "horrible" and "a sad situation," noting the board's reluctance to resort to expulsions.
Next steps: The board referred the petition to committee for further consideration; speakers asked the district to include administrator association leadership and to schedule additional listening sessions. No policy change or vote on a phone‑free policy occurred at the Nov. 5 meeting.
