BRIDGEWATER, NJ — The Bridgewater-Raritan Board of Education approved a revised policy that bars student use of internet-enabled devices on school grounds during the school day, including lunch and time between classes.
The policy, 5516, was adopted at its Tuesday meeting in one reading as the district works to meet a state requirement that districts have the rule in place before school starts.
Superintendent Bob Beers said the district had already been limiting cellphone use in classrooms.
"We're in a good position in this district because we've been cell phone free in the classroom setting for at least a year," Beers said.
He said the biggest change would be keeping phones away during lunch periods.
The new policy defines the restriction as "bell-to-bell," meaning from the start bell to the dismissal bell, and says classroom instructional time must be "entirely free of internet-enabled devices."
District-issued technology and district-managed platforms may still be used for educational purposes. The policy also says teachers "shall not incorporate students' personal technology into lesson plans."
Board President Michael Pepe said earlier in the meeting that the district's academic committee had reviewed the rule after administrators outlined the requirements of the new law and state guidance.
"I should note the policy establishes a bell-to-bell prohibition on student use of internet-enabled devices with exceptions for specific circumstances such as when required by a student health plan," Pepe said.
The policy lists exceptions for students who need devices to fulfill an Individualized Education Program, support a 504 Plan, implement a student health plan, access translation services, care for a family member, meet a specific need when no reasonable alternative exists, comply with the law, or respond in an emergency.
Parents may submit a written request for an accommodation, and the superintendent or designee must notify them of approval or denial within five school days, according to the policy.
During board discussion, member Jeremy Li proposed adding language to the regulation on discipline documentation and handling confiscated devices.
He said, "The original draft of the accompanying regulation does contain many flaws that I think we must fix before adoption."
A separate motion later removed most of Li's proposed changes, leaving only one added provision.
Board member Steven Singer said the district was using the state model.
"The policy that we're talking about is a standard model policy that was put out by the New Jersey Department of Ed. It has been reviewed by attorneys," Singer said.
The policies are required by state law for public school districts throughout the state after New Jersey lawmakers approved a statewide cell phone ban in schools in December 20255.
The final vote was 5-3. Board members Singer, James Maloney, Barry Walker, Rebecca Hassouna, and Michael Pepe all voted in favor, while board members Jennifer Loughran, Dr. Lucy Li, and Jeremy Li voted against it.
"I'm again a parent in the district with kids who have cell phones. And it's my firm belief that government should stay small. It should stay local, and that the state should mandate where they should mandate, but I don't believe that this policy is where I think the state should be involved," said Loughran.
The policy says families should contact the school's main office for non-emergency communication during the school day, and it will be included in student handbooks.
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