Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the School Policy Mobile Devices topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Chula Vista board adopts cell‑phone restrictions for TK–6 during school hours to meet new state law
Summary
The board adopted a bell‑to‑bell mobile‑device policy for TK–6 students required under Assembly Bill 3216, with limited exceptions for instructional use, health needs, and emergencies; policy will be integrated into site safety plans.
The Chula Vista Elementary School District board unanimously adopted a mobile‑device policy restricting student phone use during school hours for TK–6 students, citing a statutory deadline to implement policies required by Assembly Bill 3216.
Policy presenter (HR/operations staff) summarized the state requirement and the district’s approach: a bell‑to‑bell restriction for TK–6 with limited exceptions for instructional use with prior approval, medical needs, and emergencies. "Assembly Bill 3216 requires school district to adopt a cell phone free policy by 07/01/2026," the presenter told the board. Trustees questioned how the policy would operate on buses and during pickup/drop‑off; staff clarified the rule applies to regular school hours (class time) and that specific transportation or field‑trip exceptions are identified in the draft.
Trustees requested textual clarifications (for example, that emergency declarations be made by school personnel and that any county‑level transfer requests be made by the superintendent with board approval). The board made minor language adjustments and adopted the policy by unanimous vote.
What happens next: staff will incorporate the policy into site comprehensive safety plans and provide principals with guidance and timelines for classroom-level implementation; the policy is intended to comply with the state timetable and to reduce classroom distractions.
