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RSU 16 adopts state-required bell-to-bell cell-phone ban; students and some board members voice concerns
Summary
The board adopted policy JJ to implement a state-required bell-to-bell prohibition on personal electronic devices, with exceptions for medical needs and IEPs. Student representatives raised concerns about logistics and communication; three board members recorded opposition.
RSU 16's school board voted June 10 to adopt a bell-to-bell personal electronic device (PEED) prohibition required by new state legislation, directing administrators to finalize an implementation procedure over the summer.
The policy adopted by the board requires that students not carry, wear or access personal cell phones, smartwatches or similar devices during the school day; devices must be powered off and stored as determined by each building administrator. "Right now the best thinking is at 7:10 they'll be turned off, placed in the backpack or bag, and if you don't have a backpack or bag then the device would go into the office for the day," an ED Policy representative told the board while summarizing the committee's recommendation.
The student representative, Gabby, relayed concerns raised by the student government: possible bottlenecks at check-in stations, disruptions to drop-off flow, impacts on parents' ability to communicate with students, and the risk of simply shifting screen time to laptops. "The check-in stations I personally feel like our teachers go above and beyond ... but also is it a waste of resources?" Gabby said during the discussion.
Board members debated enforcement and local control. Some members said targeted restrictions during breakfast and lunch had worked at the high school and urged flexibility; others voiced frustration with state mandates. When the board voted, three members were recorded as opposed (Randy, Jeff and Angela); the policy carried.
Under the board's adopted approach, the policy satisfies the legal deadline and leaves details of implementation to administrative procedures to be developed over the summer and reviewed in September by the ED Policy committee. The superintendent and building leadership will be tasked with drafting clear check-in logistics, staff training and specific consequences for violations while making medically necessary exceptions and IEP accommodations explicit.
The board did not adopt a final set of disciplinary steps at the meeting; the ED Policy committee and student leadership will continue to refine the administrative procedure and return a detailed plan to the board before implementation.
