JICJ -STUDENT USE OF CELL PHONES AND OTHER PERSONAL ELECTRONIC DEVICES IN SCHOOLS

JICJ - STUDENT USE OF CELL PHONES AND OTHER PERSONAL ELECTRONIC DEVICES IN SCHOOLS

1. Purpose
   The intent of this policy is to provide students with a break from the use of student personal cell phones, smart watches, and other Personal Electronic Devices (PED) during the school day, supporting a focused learning environment, minimizing instructional distractions, and promoting student social, emotional, and academic well-being. This Regional School Unit 21 (RSU 21) policy applies to all student-owned PEDs with Internet or cellular network connectivity capabilities, wearable or handheld. 
   
   The RSU 21 Board of Directors also recognizes that PEDs may serve as assistive, accessibility, or medical technology necessary for some students to safely access their education or monitor health conditions. Nothing in this policy is intended to restrict the rights of students who require such devices as part of an Individualized Education Program (IEP), Section 504 Plan, Individual Health Plan (IHP), or other legally recognized accommodation.
2. Definitions
   1. “Personal Electronic Devices” means a device that electronically communicates, sends, receives, stores, reproduces, or displays voice and/or text communication, media, or data communication. Examples include but are not limited to cell phones, tablets, laptops, smartwatches, and gaming devices.
   2. “Bell-to-Bell” means the time from when the first bell rings indicating the start of instructional time, to the dismissal bell at the end of the academic day.
3. Implementation of Policy - “Bell To Bell” Break
   The Superintendent or their designee will develop associated rules to govern implementation of this policy, aligned to the following provisions:
   1. Core Implementation & Storage
      1. The "Bell to Bell" Break Requirement: The Superintendent or their designee will put in place mechanisms and procedures to ensure that students do not access personal electronic devices not issued by RSU 21 during the school day until the end of each school day or, if a student leaves school campus, when that student leaves the building. 
      2. Accessibility: The Superintendent or their designee will work with school administrators to establish rules and processes for safely storing, locking, or rendering functionally inaccessible of any such devices during the school day.
      3. Educational Access: The Superintendent or their designee shall, in collaboration with Information Technology (IT) and other operational staff, put in place processes to ensure students have appropriate access to the technology, content, and materials needed to support educational objectives during the school day.
   2. Allowable Uses
      1. Medical, Accessibility, and Disability-Related Uses: Students may be permitted to use PED to support health, accessibility, or learning needs. These uses align with an IHP, an IEP, Section 504 plan, or other documented accommodation plan.
         1. The Board encourages caregivers to communicate with administrators and staff regarding student-specific needs (IHP, an IEP, Section 504 plan, or other documented accommodation plan), related to device use, so that appropriate supports and accommodations can be implemented.
      2. Field Trips: Students may be permitted to use PEDs during field trips (including day or overnight trips) at the discretion of the building principal. Expectations regarding device use will be clearly communicated to students by the staff member(s) overseeing the trip.
      3. Emergency Use: Exceptions may also be granted by staff during emergency situations.
      4. Standards of Use: PED usage authorized via an IHP, an IEP, Section 504 plan, or other documented accommodation plan must follow the standards defined in the individual plan.
         Any other authorized device use must remain non-disruptive, and in full compliance with all Board policies and school rules; failure to maintain these standards may result in discipline in accordance with school policies and procedure, up to and including revocation of the PED use based on the severity of the violation.
   3. Communication & Information
      1. Alternative Communication: The Superintendent or their designee shall, in collaboration with staff in each building location, ensure that reliable mechanisms are in place to allow reasonable and necessary communication during the school day between the student and their family, including but not limited to, telephone calls and electronic messages sent via technology platforms on devices that are owned and controlled by RSU 21.
      2. Handbook Publication: The Superintendent or designee will communicate these rules within the school handbook.
      3. Policy Implementation: The Superintendent shall review and update associated procedures and shall provide regular progress reports to the Policy Committee or the full Board, as the Superintendent or the Board deems appropriate.
   4. Enforcement & Discipline
      1. Confiscation & Discipline: Administrators and staff may confiscate any personal electronic device seen or heard in a student’s possession during the school day in violation of this policy, and the student will be subject to applicable discipline procedures consistent with the Code of Conduct.  
   5. Liability & Authority
      1. Loss or Damage:  Students assume responsibility for the PED brought to school at their own risk.  RSU 21 will not be responsible for loss, theft, or damage to students’ personally owned cell phones, smart watches, or other PEDs brought into schools or onto school property, including school buses, field trips, parking lots, athletic fields and/or any other school facilities.
      2. Administrative Rulemaking: The Superintendent or their designee will develop additional rules to implement this policy via JICJ - R. The policy and rules will be communicated through the student handbook, the Student Code of Conduct, and other communication methods.
   6. Implementation
      1. This policy will come into effect on the first day of school during the 2026-2027 school year.

Legal References
20-A M.R.S.A. §1001(23)

Cross References 
JIH – Questioning and Searches of Students
JICD - Academic Honesty
JICJ - R – Administrative Procedure for the Student Use of Cell Phones and Other Personal Electronic Devices (PED) in Schools
JICIA – Weapons, Violence, Bullying, and School Safety
JK – Student Discipline
JIC - Code of Conduct
JKF - Discipline of Students With Disabilities
IJNDB - Student Computer, Device, and Internet Use

Adopted: 10/24/2005
Reviewed: 04/26/2010
Amended: 08/20/2012
Amended: 04/27/2015
Revised: 06/01/2026