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Bismarck board approves 'bell-to-bell' personal device policy to align with new state law
Summary
The Bismarck School Board voted unanimously July 14 to adopt a revised administrative policy (FFI) that restricts students' personal electronic device use during the school day to comply with recently enacted state legislation; the superintendent outlined implementation steps, accommodations and parent guidance.
The Bismarck School Board voted unanimously July 14 to adopt a revised administrative policy (FFI) restricting students’ use of personal electronic communication devices "bell to bell" during the school day, in order to comply with new state law.
Superintendent Dr. Fosnett presented the proposed policy, saying it was informed by a working group of principals, instructional leaders and student-support staff and by family feedback collected after the draft was posted July 1. "The survey yielded about 953 responses," he said, and "83.4% of respondents agreed that the proposed policy aligns with the intent of the legislation." He said the district used a model policy from the North Coast School Boards Association as a basis and that the board was being asked to weigh in because of the policy’s significance.
The superintendent described four themes from family feedback: a need for clear emergency-contact protocols; procedures for accommodations for students with medical needs or individualized education plans; requests for tiered flexibility at the secondary level (for example, different lunch-hour rules); and the desire for standardized enforcement and communications across schools. "We are presently working on those processes now," he said, noting the legislation allows device use for documented medical needs or IEP/504 accommodations.
Dr. Fosnett said the district will publish a public-facing FAQ and guidance for parents and staff aimed at early August so families and students know how the policy will be implemented. He emphasized training and consistent application across the district’s three high schools, saying the policy will be enforced by multiple staff members rather than a single monitor.
Board members voiced support for implementing the law and for steps to minimize classroom distractions. Mr. Lee moved to approve the FFI recommendation; the motion was seconded and the board voted in favor. The board’s formal action instructs district staff to finalize the administrative policy language, complete guidance documents for parents and staff, and publish the updated policy and FAQ ahead of the new school year.
The board’s approval follows state legislation (referred to in the presentation as Senate Bill 2354 and House Bill 1160) that requires districts to restrict personal device use during the school day. The superintendent said the district will clarify accommodations and enforcement procedures before school starts and will provide parents with the district’s communication plan and disciplinary tiers for violations.
The board concluded the item by approving the policy on a voice roll call vote; Superintendent Dr. Fosnett said he will continue to refine the implementation materials and return with any needed clarifications.
