Board approves first read of bell-to-bell phone policy; schedules public forum

The MSAD 35 school board voted unanimously to approve the first reading of a revised student personal electronic device policy (JFC and JFC-R), endorsing changes that emphasize making phones inaccessible and powered off during the school day and cross-referencing discipline procedures in policy JK.

Board members said evidence from districts that have adopted bell-to-bell restrictions shows improvements in student engagement and wellbeing. "We're not taking something away — we're giving a gift back," said Heidi Early Hersy, who outlined plans to hold an open community forum on Nov. 19 from 6 to 7 p.m. for parents, students and staff to offer input before the policy returns for a second read in early December.

The board approved several specific wording changes during the first read: revise item three so covered devices are "issued or approved by MSAD 35," change the confiscation provision to state administrators may "temporarily confiscate" a device and add that students will be subject to applicable discipline procedures per policy JK, and rephrase exceptions to say a student may be "authorized to utilize a personal electronic device at school." Members also agreed to move exception language toward the end of the policy document.

Discussion focused on implementation mechanics and timeline. Board members debated options — from an "on-your-honor" approach to physical locking systems such as cell-phone lockers or Yondr-style pouches — and directed administration to allow each building to propose the practical method best suited to its population. Board members also asked that stored devices be off or set to airplane mode while inaccessible, and that medical exceptions (for example glucose monitors) be handled via IEPs or 504 plans.

Officials flagged budget and scheduling considerations: some buildings already have phone-locker equipment and the district will inventory existing resources before purchasing more, but if new equipment is required the board discussed either a January rollout or waiting until the following September to budget for purchases. The policy includes a monitoring clause to revisit and revise implementation after an initial trial period.

The board's first-read motion passed with an affirmative vote recorded as "that's five." The board invited broad public participation at the Nov. 19 forum and said it will incorporate feedback at the Nov. 20 policy committee meeting before the second read in December.