Sanford board adopts state-mandated bell-to-bell cell-phone ban, plans Yondr pouch rollout

The Sanford School Committee voted unanimously June 15 to adopt policy JICJ and procedure JICJ-R, implementing a state-mandated “bell-to-bell” ban on student personal electronic devices in pre-K–12 schools.

Board members said the policy — scheduled to take effect Aug. 1 under state law — includes a ladder of consequences for noncompliance and will be supported by an operational plan that gives students and staff a tool to comply. The district plans to issue locking pouches (the Yondr system) at the high school and middle school; the board noted $7,500 in state funding and existing strong-connection funds at the middle school will cover part of the initial rollout.

District leaders and board members described a site visit to RSU 1 (Morris High School), which has used pouches for a year. Mr. B, who took part in the visit, said the system provides a consistent, enforceable mechanism: “If we are going to have this ban, we really needed to equip staff and students with the tools to make it happen,” he said. Board members reported that students and teachers at the visited school described improved classroom focus and more in-person social interaction.

Several trustees emphasized communications and family outreach ahead of implementation. The administration said it will distribute a family letter and frequently asked questions this summer, produce handbook text explaining the ladder of consequences, and ask building administrators to review logistics and campus entry/exit stations.

Trustee Melissa described a cultural shift she observed at the visiting school, saying it had produced more face-to-face greetings: “Someone called it the ‘year of hello’ — kids were looking up and saying hello,” she said.

The board approved the policy and procedure as the second reading on a unanimous voice vote; administrators will follow with operational details and family-facing materials this summer.