Hamilton Central will require middle‑school phones be stored in lockable homeroom lockers during the day

Mr. Gasset told the board on Aug. 15 that, after meetings with parents and teachers, the district will require middle‑school students to store personal cell phones in assigned, lockable homeroom lockers for the school day.

“We have decided that we will put cell phones away for the day in the middle school,” Mr. Gasset said, explaining the district will issue one assigned locker slot per student and lock the lockers during the day. He said the district will provide procedures for late arrivals, early dismissals and emergency access: students who need a phone during the day would report to the main office and staff will retrieve the device.

Staff said the plan is designed to reduce distractions and protect student mental‑health and classroom engagement. They also said accommodations will be made for students with anxiety, and that the policy will be explained to families through a sample letter and during open‑house events. The draft communication will include links to research cited by staff about phones and teens.

Board members raised logistics and enforcement questions: how to handle students arriving late, early dismissals, and whether other devices (smartwatches, earbuds, tablets) would be included. Administrators said the initial plan focuses on phones only and that the student handbook will be updated with the protocol. They also noted the district ordered a number of locker boxes based on total enrollment and will adjust communications for families whose children do not own phones.

The board did not take a formal vote at the meeting; staff will proceed with outreach and handbook updates and return with any needed policy language for board consideration.