The Montclair Public Schools have a new policy on the use of cell phones and other electronic devices. It requires phones be “off and away” during the instructional day.
The Board of Education on Wednesday approved two policies. One is on the “use of privately owned technology,” and another regulates the “use of electronic communication and recording devices.”
“With technology increasingly present in students’ lives, this policy aims to support responsible use while maintaining the integrity of the learning environment,” said Yvonne Bouknight, vice president of the school board, reading from a committee report.
‘We Heard You’
The committee considered suggestions from the community, Bouknight said.
“We heard you, at large, with special consideration to our district leadership, while keeping our students in mind,” Bouknight said. “We remain dedicated to developing policies that reflect the needs of our school community.”
The policy on privately owned technology requires devices be stored in a school-designated “off and away” location during the instructional day. This location must be “in school provided locations” and not stored on the students’ person or in a backpack, the policy states.
The board voted 8-0 to approve both policies. Board member Phaedra Dunn was absent. With the policy approval came questions from the Montclair PTA Council.
“Parents are split,” said Deborah Villarreal, president of the PTAC. “Some have long supported a policy to address cell phone use and are ready to embrace the changes. Others are just learning about it and have some important but very basic questions.”
She said parents have asked how they can contact their child in an emergency. They also asked if their children’s phones will be secure and how the phones will be tracked and stored during the school day, Villareal said.
Villarreal said students will need to change habits, and parents will need to feel confident in a new system where they can no longer text their child during the school day. School staff will face more front office communications from parents, she added.
NJ Poll Says
The PTAC president’s account matches statewide polling on the issue. A survey by the FDU Poll published in March found that 49% of New Jersey voters say the state should ban cell phones in public schools. The survey found 45% oppose such a ban, the FDU Poll said.
Adoption of the policy in Montclair follows advocacy from the parent-led group Screen Aware Montclair. The group sought a “bell-to-bell” ban on cell phones in schools. The goal is to reduce distractions from learning.
Jordan Goldberg, a Screen Aware member who is mother to both a middle school and elementary school student, thanked the board. Parents have been lobbying the school board for over a year, she said.
“We are very grateful to see the progress that was made here, really hopeful about what the implementation of this is going to be like and really eager to see the change that this will make in our classrooms and hallways throughout the district,” Goldberg said.
Goldberg previously cited research published by the Harvard Business Review, which found that having a phone available but not in use, can detract from learning.
“Our research suggests that, in a way, the mere presence of our smartphones is like the sound of our names — they are constantly calling to us, exerting a gravitational pull on our attention,” the report said.
Interim Superintendent Damen Cooper, in August 2024, announced the district would postpone a pilot program, planned under Superintendent Jonathan Ponds, which would use locking pouches made by the company, Yondr, to store students’ cell phones.
In November 2024, Cooper outlined new procedures to limit cell phones in school buildings. He then said the policies would catch up with those practices.
Email reporter Matt Kadosh at matt@montclairlocal.news
