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Board considers bell-to-bell cell-phone ban at Somerset High School
Summary
The Somerset School Board reviewed Policy 5136 proposing a bell-to-bell ban on student cell phones at the high school, with tiered consequences and an educational first-offense option; the policy will return for a second reading at the next meeting.
The Somerset School Board discussed a proposed change to Policy 5136 that would ban student cell-phone use at the high school for the full school day, beginning with students storing phones in lockers or vehicles.
"This policy would change that, and it would create a bell to bell ban on having cell phones," said Dr. Grama, the superintendent, who presented the proposal and said the change applies only to the high school. He said students would be allowed to bring phones to school but would be required to keep them in lockers during the school day.
Dr. Grama outlined a tiered enforcement approach and said the district will develop procedures and consequences to back the policy. "Sometimes the first option for what some districts are doing...is the student can forego the more strict consequence and go through an educational process," he said, describing an initial educational intervention as one possible first step.
Board members asked about enforcement and communication. A member asked whether the district had plans to solicit student input; Dr. Grama said the district has not previously sought systematic student feedback on policies of this type, though he has already heard informal reactions from juniors and expects initial pushback that other districts later reported turned positive.
Dr. Grama said law-enforcement partners have expressed support for reduced phone use in schools. "Our law enforcement partners are very much in favor of this change," he said, citing concerns over safety and potential network issues during emergency situations.
The board discussed communications to families, including a web page with background, research and rationale for the change. Dr. Grama said communications will be prepared after the policy passes and that the draft handbook language and procedures will be ready over the summer.
The board did not vote on the policy at this meeting. Chair (speaker 4) said the policy will return at the next meeting for a second reading and then possible approval.
