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Subcommittee reviews state cell‑phone bill and Brockton High School’s cell‑free experience; community forum proposed
Summary
Members reviewed Massachusetts bill S2581 and a Brockton High School principal’s account of going cell‑phone free, including reported declines in skipping and shifts in AP and MCAS measures; the subcommittee proposed a live‑streamed community norms event for parents and educators to discuss phone use in schools.
The subcommittee reviewed state‑level guidance and local outreach regarding cell‑phone policies in schools. Members discussed Massachusetts bill S2581 (Safe Technology Use and Distraction Free Education Youth Act) and referenced the Massachusetts Attorney General’s "Cell Phones and Social Media in Schools" toolkit as a resource for districts.
Chair Jessica Deglialberti reported she contacted other districts and spoke with Brockton High School principal Kevin McCaskill about Brockton’s yearlong Cell Phone Free initiative. According to Deglialberti’s recounting of McCaskill’s remarks, Brockton used parent nights that began with a short Yondr video and student testimonials; the principal attributed a roughly 50% drop in skipping class and a 12% increase in AP passing rates to the policy, and said MCAS participation increased. Deglialberti also relayed McCaskill’s operational notes: the school improved website and staff phone listings, provided email access for teacher uses and class projects (but blocked peer‑to‑peer emailing to limit bullying), and used velcro pouches or IEP/504 accommodations for students with documented needs. McCaskill estimated Yondr pouch costs at about $30–$40 per pouch and suggested a rough total of $140,000 for 4,000 pouches.
The principal also described parent concerns about emergency communications and the risk of misinformation; Deglialberti said McCaskill felt that phones in class could draw unwanted attention during active‑shooter incidents and that a large number of simultaneous calls or texts could hamper official communication (as relayed to the subcommittee).
The subcommittee discussed a proposed community education night to present research and norms (examples cited included Jonathan Haidt’s Anxious Generation, the Wait Until 8th movement and Let Grow). The envisioned event would show a 10–15 minute video, include a panel of pediatricians, counselors and principals, and be live streamed; the subcommittee proposed bringing the plan to the full committee for a vote. Members noted scheduling conflicts with the superintendent search and strategic plan work and said the event could be scheduled in January if necessary.
Next steps: the community event proposal will be moved to the full School Committee for consideration; district staff will continue outreach to other schools and stakeholders for planning.
