Holmdel plans 'bell-to-bell' cell-phone ban; district officials say rollout will take place next school year

Holmdel school administrators told a community panel they are preparing a districtwide "bell-to-bell" cell-phone ban to begin next school year, though no formal vote or final implementation plan was announced.

Shantel Simonelli, principal of William R. Satz Middle School, said district leaders and building administrators are working with central office staff on how to implement the rule. "We're working on that now as a district and as administrative. You know, we're working with Dr. Cascone and the principals and the schools. We're all figuring out how we're gonna address that next year and roll that out," she said. Panelists discussed practical options other districts use, including magnetized phone pouches, requiring phones in lockers, or other hold-and-release systems to keep devices away during the school day.

District staff and panelists stressed the conversation is still in a planning phase. At the panel, staff said some schools that already restrict phones use pouches that lock during the day or require phones to be stored in lockers; administrators noted exceptions would be needed when students must contact caregivers for safety or logistical reasons. The panel included students who cautioned about social consequences for peers who are temporarily unplugged and suggested administrators communicate clearly with families before rollout.

The panel did not record a formal board action or vote on the policy; staff described the session as part of community outreach and planning. The district and principals are expected to continue developing rollout details and communications with families before implementing the bell-to-bell restriction.