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Audubon board debates cost and logistics of complying with new state cellphone rule
Summary
Superintendent Ms. Allen told the board the state requires student cellphones be inaccessible bell‑to‑bell; administrators say padded 'pouches' or lockers are the main options, a quote is on hand but funding and logistics remain unresolved.
Board members pressed administrators about how the district will comply with a New Jersey requirement that students not have access to Wi‑Fi‑enabled devices from bell to bell.
Superintendent Ms. Allen told the board the law requires phones be inaccessible during the school day and that the district has been exploring practical options that meet state guidance. "There's no such thing as a no‑cost option," she said, explaining the district had received a vendor quote (valid for 60 days) for foam pouches and that lockers or other solutions carry logistical challenges.
Several board members expressed concern about cost and equity. "We have no money," one member said, urging the administration to look for alternatives and to quantify the expense before committing to purchases. Ms. Allen said she would identify potential funding sources and provide the exact quote and cost figures to the board.
Administrators described operational challenges in a building where students change classes and some leave early for senior schedules or sports. They said pouches use strong magnets at exits and offices to unlock items when necessary, but also acknowledged that no system is foolproof.
The board directed administration to gather exact pricing and evidence from nearby districts that have implemented pouches and to continue exploring alternatives before final approval. No final decision or purchase authorization occurred at the meeting.
