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Hamilton Board adopts policy 5516 restricting student use of internet-enabled devices during instructional time
Summary
The Hamilton Board adopted updated policy 5516 on July 9, implementing a 'bell-to-bell' restriction on student cellphone and internet-enabled device use during instructional time in line with a recent gubernatorial executive order; the board directed administration to create implementing regulations and will finalize procedures with stakeholders before school starts.
The Hamilton Board of Education on July 9 adopted revised policy 5516, which restricts student use of internet-enabled devices during instructional hours and directs the administration to develop implementing regulations.
Chair (speaker 1) introduced the draft as a "bell-to-bell prohibition on cell phone use at school," saying the policy reflects Governor Murphy's executive order that banned cell-phone use in schools during the instructional day. "This draft policy... speaks to what we call a bell-to-bell prohibition on cell phone use at school," the chair said, and reminded the public that the board will hold a second reading and final adoption at its Aug. 13 meeting (the board later moved to adopt the policy during the same meeting and recorded a roll call vote carrying the motion).
The board said it will work with administrators, schoolwide teams, students, the teachers' association and other stakeholders between meetings to define exceptions and implementation procedures. A board member (speaker 6) said the district received the policy documents only two days earlier: "the school got this 2 days ago... we're gonna work through it." The chair added the state can enforce compliance through sanctions including withholding funding if the district refuses required actions.
The board's action replaced the existing policy number 5516; the motion to adopt was made by Mister Coia and seconded by Missus Granato in the record, and the roll call showed the motion carried. The board directed the administration to produce regulations and support materials so parents, students and staff understand the forthcoming rules before the school year begins.
Why it matters: The change will affect K–12 instructional-day device access and daily routines across Hamilton schools. The district signaled it will finalize limited exceptions and classroom-level guidance through upcoming committee and administrative meetings to keep the policy aligned with state requirements.
The board schedules a formal second reading and adoption process on Aug. 13 to complete the policy cycle and finalize the implementing regulations.
