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Board holds first read of phone‑free schools policy under Maryland law, debates enforcement and bus rules
Summary
The board reviewed a first draft of a district policy to implement House Bill 525 (Joanne C. Benson Maryland Phone Free Schools Act), defining bell‑to‑bell academic day limits on student device use while discussing enforcement challenges on buses, IEP/504 accommodations and parent communications.
At a June 3 meeting, the Queen Anne's County Board of Education reviewed a first read of a proposed personal electronic communication device policy (policy 603) and accompanying regulation to align district practice with House Bill 525, the Joanne C. Benson Maryland Phone Free Schools Act. The regulation would define the academic day as from the first bell to the last bell and require students to have personal electronic devices turned off and stored during that period, with explicit accommodations for students with IEPs, 504 plans or medical needs.
Assistant Superintendent Jennifer Schreckengost said the regulation allows exceptions when devices are needed for translation, medical monitoring, or caregiving responsibilities and outlines confiscation procedures and family communications. "For students with IEPs, 504 plans, medical plans, they are authorized to carry the phone if it is a reasonable accommodation within their documented plan," she said.
Board members asked about buses and field trips, enforcement during passing periods and lunchtime allowances, and how staff and families will be informed. Several trustees noted enforcement should not fall to classroom teachers and suggested administrative procedures for confiscation and warnings. Dan Harding, a high‑school principal, said implementation would be difficult at first but feasible with clear messaging and administrative support.
Administrators said the district plans to implement the policy a year early (ahead of statewide enforcement), continue principals' involvement, use the student handbook and back‑to‑school communications to inform families, and consider alternatives for coaches and extracurricular teams that currently rely on phone‑based communication with students. The policy will return for further refinement and a future board vote after public comment and additional staff review.
