Board authorizes pilot of pocket phone practice at Cedar Drive Middle School pending surveys

The Colts Neck Township Board of Education on Feb. 19 approved a trial of a cell‑phone “pocket” practice at Cedar Drive Middle School and directed the administration to gather parent and staff feedback before broader rollout.

Superintendent Dr. Gabay described a classroom practice used by some Cedar Drive teachers in which students place their phones in visible pockets (or similarly accessible locations) during class so devices are not in use but remain within sight. The practice aims to reduce distractions, avoid repeated teacher reprimands for phone use and reduce risk of device damage in active classes such as physical education.

Why it matters: Board members said the approach could reduce classroom disruptions while keeping phones available in emergencies. Parents and some trustees raised concerns about student anxiety, privacy and logistics — for example, how to ensure students do not pick up another student’s phone when classes rotate or how children who need exceptions (medical or anxiety‑related) would be accommodated.

Discussion and safeguards: Trustees debated several operational details that administrators must address before full adoption. Options discussed included assigning consistent pocket numbers to students, teachers temporarily holding devices during a period, or phased steps (starting with Chromebook cases and moving to pockets). Dr. Gabay said staff already use variations of the practice in several classrooms and emphasized that exceptions would be handled individually when needed.

Next steps and conditions: The board directed the administration to send a short parent survey to Cedar Drive families and a staff survey to teachers. Trustees agreed to take a straw poll of the board after survey results return; the superintendent said the pilot could begin promptly if a majority of respondents support it. The pilot’s duration and reporting cadence will be set by the administration and reported at subsequent meetings.

What was not decided: The board did not change district policy tonight. Several trustees asked that the pilot remain flexible so it can be paused or adjusted based on feedback. Trustees also requested clear communications for parents explaining exceptions and safety protocols.

The district will publish the survey and report results back to the board for a follow‑up vote or straw poll before expanding the practice beyond Cedar Drive Middle School.