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Middle schools outline 'bell-to-bell' phone policy, education campaign ahead of July 1, 2026 mandate
Summary
Middle school principals presented a district rollout of the Phone Free School Act: bell-to-bell enforcement, a student education campaign with pre/post surveys, a 6-week pilot, and a tiered consequence system for violations; board members asked about safety, smartwatch usage, and Chromebook access during breaks.
District and middle-school leaders described plans to implement the Phone Free School Act (referenced in the presentation as Ed Code 48901.7) beginning July 1, 2026.
Presenters said the middle schools have piloted bell-to-bell enforcement for two years at some sites. A Murillo/Sierramont/Morrell principal (presenters S13/S14/S15) summarized the approach: during instructional time all cell phones and smartwatches must be put in backpacks and turned off; first offenses result in confiscation and return at the end of the day, second offenses include parent notification and documentation, and repeated offenses may lead to a 30-day phone contract requiring the student to drop off and pick up the device at the office.
Staff outlined a 6-week implementation window with a pre-survey and a post-survey using a shortened Smartphone Addiction Scale to measure impact. Principals and staff reported decreases in classroom disruptions, an increase in face-to-face socializing at lunch, and a reduction in cyberbullying incidents in pilot schools. Trustees raised questions about students who use smartwatches for step tracking, access to Chromebooks for homework during lunch or breaks, and how phones would be used in an emergency. Principals said libraries and 'chill zones' and office phones will remain available, and the district will not take phones into locked storage but will require phones to be on the student's person and away for instructional time.
The board heard that a districtwide policy will come forward for approval in the next few months and that elementary principals will be consulted on adapting the approach for younger grades.
