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School committee directs administration to draft stricter cell-phone policy after student and staff feedback
Summary
Citing student surveys, pilot models (Yondr pouches), teacher experience, and parental communication concerns, the committee voted to direct administration to draft a new cell-phone policy and to work with finance on costs and rollout plans.
The Newport School Committee directed the administration to develop a draft district-wide cell-phone policy and to assess cost implications for implementation after hearing survey results, principal testimony and teacher input.
School leaders presented student survey findings showing students often use phones to message family and friends; principals described existing school practices (for example, Thompson requires phones in lockers during class) and several administrators cited successful pilots elsewhere (Yondr pouches in Central Falls). Committee members emphasized the need to explain changes to families, to design parent communication protocols (so parents can reach students in non-emergency situations), and to consider devices beyond phones (smartwatches).
A teacher who had used GoGuardian in previous schools told the board the classroom-management software ‘‘was really helpful’’ for blocking inappropriate sites, closing tabs remotely and communicating with students when a teacher is out sick — suggesting Chromebook filtering could be part of a technology-backed approach to reducing distractions.
The committee voted to direct administration to draft a policy, coordinate with the finance director on cost estimates (including possible pouch or device storage purchases), and to return with an implementation plan that addresses parental notification, equitable access and teacher supports. The motion carried unanimously.
