Policies committee approves first read of new 'bell-to-bell' cell‑phone policy, plans to retire old rule

The RSU 57/MSAD 57 policies committee voted to approve a first read of a new student cell‑phone policy, JICJ, and moved that the district's existing JFCK policy be removed once the new policy is adopted.

The committee took up the item after staff said recent state law required updates to district policy. Staff and members compared the district's current JFCK text with the MSMA (Maine School Management Association) sample policy JICJ and discussed whether to revise the existing policy or adopt the MSMA text and present a clean replacement to the board.

Chair said the key operational change in the statute is the 'bell to bell' framing for device storage: 'Changes into wording like bell to bell, which is already in practice,' noting that the requirement tracks current school operations. Staff added that the statute's storage language is consistent with how the district handles devices and that adopting JICJ would formalize that approach.

Members debated whether to retain district introductory language or simply adopt the MSMA wording. Several members said they preferred a clean new policy that preserves district intent while inserting the statutory language; one committee member argued that, regardless of which text is chosen, the administration would likely tailor language for local standards at first read.

The committee voted to approve a first read of JICJ and then approved a separate motion stating that, upon adoption of JICJ, the current policy JFCK will be removed from the district policy manual. No vote tallies were recorded in the transcript.

The new JICJ will return to the full school board for the usual first and second reads and a final vote; staff said the second read could be placed on the consent agenda and that the district would communicate the replacement when it takes effect.