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Board holds first reading of state-required bell-to-bell device policy, debates implementation
Summary
RSU 18 held a first reading of a state-mandated bell-to-bell personal electronic device policy required by Aug. 1. Members disagreed over passing a minimal policy now versus adding detailed implementation language; the board agreed to remove procedural details to meet the deadline and tasked administration and the policy committee with drafting procedures and holding public input.
The board discussed a state-required "bell-to-bell" prohibition on student use of personal electronic devices that must be adopted by Aug. 1. Some members urged adopting a concise policy now and delegating procedures to the superintendent and administrators; others pushed for stronger board-level language and clearer storage and enforcement instructions.
One board member summarized the statutory requirement: “So just to clarify, state law requires, by August 1, a bell to bell prohibition.” Members debated specific edits — including whether to replace references to building administrators with the school board or to remove detailed consequence language from the policy as procedural. Board member Chelsea, who reviewed multiple district policies, said she did not support passing the draft "as written" without stronger implementation guidance: “I do not feel as though this should be passed as written.”
The discussion included cost and implementation concerns: a speaker noted the state is providing $5,261 to support implementation but that equipment solutions could cost substantially more. Several members recommended removing procedural details (progressive consequences, storage protocols) from the policy text and returning with procedures developed by administrators and the policy committee, plus public input sessions. The board directed staff to meet the August 1 statutory deadline with a streamlined policy and to continue work on procedures and public engagement before the next reading.
