Parent urges ban on middle- and high-school cell phones; administration says policy running 'relatively well'

Rachel Jefferson of Stratham told the board she had emailed members and urged the district to ban cell phones in both the middle and high schools, saying phones cause classroom distraction and contribute to learning loss. “I don’t think the policy goes far enough,” she said, and asked the board to consider turning the current administrative rule into a board policy and to review teacher feedback as the year progresses.

Board members and administrators responded that the district has an infraction-logging process. A district administrator said infractions are recorded in the Alma system and that a midyear report could be run to assess enforcement. The administrator also said teachers appear vigilant so far and that violations have not been ‘inundating’ staff.

Several board members and a student representative noted it is early in the school year and recommended the district continue to monitor implementation, run the proposed midyear check-in, and solicit teacher feedback before making formal policy changes. The superintendent said the policy is a work in progress and welcomed follow-up data at the next appropriate meeting.

The public comment exchange was part of a broader public-input period that included concerns about notification systems and a request from a community sports group to fund field renovations. The board did not take formal action on the phone policy during the meeting but asked administrators to bring data and updates at future meetings.