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State 'bell-to-bell' phone rule forces district policy change ahead of school year
Summary
Superintendent Mike Detoro told the board the state is replacing policy 2363 with a mandatory policy (5516) that requires 'bell-to-bell' phone restrictions during the school day; the policy committee will meet before August to prepare first and second readings.
The Mahwah Township Public School District must adopt a state-mandated "bell-to-bell" cell phone policy for students after the state abolished the district's prior guidance (policy 2363) and issued a mandatory replacement (policy 5516), Superintendent Mike Detoro told the board.
"Cell phones are not allowed to be out during the school day, from the start of the school day when the bell rings to the end of the school day when the bell rings," Detoro said, describing the new state requirement and acknowledging that it will prompt questions from families. He said staff will develop communications and school-level protocols, include the policy in student handbooks and present related materials at back-to-school events.
Detoro noted carve-outs and implementation questions that the policy committee will address, such as senior privileges for off-campus lunch, field trips, and extracurricular activities; he said the committee must meet prior to the board's August 2 meeting so the policy can be placed on the agenda for first and second reading.
