Manchester School Board Unveils Stricter Cellphone Policy for 2024-2025

The Manchester School Board has introduced a significantly stricter cellphone policy aimed at limiting personal electronic device use among students for the upcoming 2024-2025 academic year. This new policy, approved in July 2024, prohibits students in preschool through eighth grade from using personal devices during school hours unless specifically authorized by a school official. High school students will only have access to their devices during non-instructional times, such as lunch.

The decision comes in response to a new statewide cellphone ban in New Hampshire, signed by Gov. Kelly Ayotte as part of the state budget. This legislation mandates that all public school districts and charter schools in New Hampshire adopt policies prohibiting the use of personal electronic devices—including cellphones and smartwatches—during the entire school day, from the first bell to dismissal, including lunch periods.

During a recent meeting, Manchester school board members reviewed the proposed changes to the policy. The enforcement language indicates that students who do not surrender their devices when asked by a teacher could face disciplinary actions, including “being sent home, detention, and/or suspension.” School board member Leslie Want noted, “I read what’s here, and this is definitely much stricter than what we passed last year.”

Policy Details and Enforcement Measures

The updated policy outlines specific provisions regarding the use of Personal Communication Devices (PCD), which encompass cellphones, tablets, laptops, and smartwatches. Key points include:

– PCD use is strictly prohibited from the start of instructional time until dismissal, including during lunch, homeroom, study halls, recess, and passing times.
– Rules regarding PCD use during extracurricular or co-curricular activities will be established by the responsible staff member for each activity.
– Exemptions are made for students with medical needs, disabilities, or those requiring devices for learning purposes as defined by their individualized education program (IEP). These students will be included on a master list maintained by the school’s central office.

Consequences for violating the policy escalate with each offense. The first violation results in a warning and confiscation of the device for the remainder of the school day. A second offense mandates that a parent or guardian must retrieve the confiscated device from the principal’s office. For a third offense, a student must surrender their device upon arrival at school, with further violations potentially leading to detention or suspension.

In discussing the changes, board member Peter Argeropoulos emphasized the importance of unified enforcement across the district. “This is going to be an extremely difficult task to do in our schools unless the entire organization is united,” he stated. He expressed optimism that the policy change would benefit students and foster a healthier school environment.

Former mayor and current board member Bob Baines highlighted the challenges of enforcing cellphone policies, noting past difficulties in achieving consistent compliance among students. “To think there was universal enforcement of that cellphone policy, it just didn’t happen,” he remarked, urging the district to ensure that there are effective procedures in place for enforcement.

Community Engagement and Next Steps

Concerns regarding the potential for student suspensions due to violations were raised by board member Chris Potter, who expressed apprehension about students missing valuable instructional time. The district’s attorney, Matt Upton, acknowledged the need for a robust approach to ensure compliance, stating that the district is “running out of ways to motivate the proper use or non-use of the phone.”

To further discuss the new policy, the Manchester School Board will host a public forum on August 20, 2024, at 6:15 p.m. at City Hall, inviting community members and parents to provide input and express any concerns. The Manchester School District encourages participation from the public to shape a policy that aligns with the best interests of its students.