Superintendent Glover previews "bell-to-bell" internet-enabled device ban, effective Sept. 1, 2026
June 23, 2026 | Piscataway Township School District, School Districts, New Jersey
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Superintendent Glover told a standing-room community forum on June 22 that the district will implement New Jersey's new law banning internet-enabled devices on school property during the school day, effective Sept. 1, 2026. "From the time they arrive on campus ... it must be off and it must not be visible," he said, summarizing the state'mandated "bell-to-bell" rule.
The ban, which Gov. Murphy signed earlier this year, requires districts to adopt local policies that spell out the definition, exceptions and consequences. Glover said the district will align its guidance with the New Jersey Department of Education and will present a proposed policy to the board this summer for the K'12 school year starting in 2026'27.
Glover described what the ban covers and why the state enacted it: "cell phone, smartwatches, their own device ... classes, or any other new technology" that connects to the internet. He cited clinical and educational research that, the district said, shows reduced screen time can improve classroom focus and lower risks of bullying and distraction. The superintendent emphasized the policy targets internet-enabled devices specifically and that non-internet "flip" phones remain allowable because they limit connectivity.
On exceptions, Glover said devices required for medical reasons will be permitted when documented in a student's 504 accommodation or individualized education plan and approved by district staff: "We have students who need to wear certain devices so they can check their blood sugar," he said. He also said district-provided devices and district-approved translation tools should be used for multilingual learners where appropriate.
District implementation details include: the ban applies during the official school day (Glover used 8:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. as a representative bell-to-bell window), field trips that occur during school hours, and other in-day activities unless a principal grants permission for a specific, documented reason (for example, a delayed bus). In emergencies, Glover said students who contact parents would not face discipline: "In an emergency situation, if I were to contact my parents ... I would say no" to punishment.
On enforcement, Glover outlined a proposed four-step approach. Level 1 would be a first-time warning and education; Level 2 could temporarily suspend a student's device privileges for a number of days; Level 3 could ban a student from having a device on campus for the school year; and Level 4, for repeated offenses, could trigger suspensions or require a parent-student meeting. "One, two, and three are about educating," he said, adding suspensions would be a last resort.
Glover said the district will not adopt costly pouch systems for all students and noted recurring costs: he said some pouch systems start at about $30,000, while classroom lock boxes for 25 to 30 devices run roughly $200'$300. The district's approach will emphasize education, selective classroom tools where practical, and promoting alternatives such as non-internet flip phones.
During a Q&A, a rising senior asked how students would notify clubs about last-minute changes; Glover said the district will enable functional student email accounts so clubs can communicate securely without relying on personal devices during class. A separate student question about incapacitated staff on field trips produced the superintendent's guidance that common sense should prevail and that students would not be disciplined for contacting parents in a real emergency.
Loretta Rivers, chair of the policy committee, invited parents to join the committee and said public feedback will be taken into account as the board finalizes handbook language. Glover said the district will publish FAQs aligned with forthcoming DOE guidance and will communicate details to families over the summer and at back-to-school events.
The board has not yet voted on a final policy; Glover said handbook language, the precise consequence schedule and any after-school or extracurricular exceptions will be set by the board before the law takes effect. Parents with follow-up questions were directed to the superintendent's office for further information.
The ban, which Gov. Murphy signed earlier this year, requires districts to adopt local policies that spell out the definition, exceptions and consequences. Glover said the district will align its guidance with the New Jersey Department of Education and will present a proposed policy to the board this summer for the K'12 school year starting in 2026'27.
Glover described what the ban covers and why the state enacted it: "cell phone, smartwatches, their own device ... classes, or any other new technology" that connects to the internet. He cited clinical and educational research that, the district said, shows reduced screen time can improve classroom focus and lower risks of bullying and distraction. The superintendent emphasized the policy targets internet-enabled devices specifically and that non-internet "flip" phones remain allowable because they limit connectivity.
On exceptions, Glover said devices required for medical reasons will be permitted when documented in a student's 504 accommodation or individualized education plan and approved by district staff: "We have students who need to wear certain devices so they can check their blood sugar," he said. He also said district-provided devices and district-approved translation tools should be used for multilingual learners where appropriate.
District implementation details include: the ban applies during the official school day (Glover used 8:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. as a representative bell-to-bell window), field trips that occur during school hours, and other in-day activities unless a principal grants permission for a specific, documented reason (for example, a delayed bus). In emergencies, Glover said students who contact parents would not face discipline: "In an emergency situation, if I were to contact my parents ... I would say no" to punishment.
On enforcement, Glover outlined a proposed four-step approach. Level 1 would be a first-time warning and education; Level 2 could temporarily suspend a student's device privileges for a number of days; Level 3 could ban a student from having a device on campus for the school year; and Level 4, for repeated offenses, could trigger suspensions or require a parent-student meeting. "One, two, and three are about educating," he said, adding suspensions would be a last resort.
Glover said the district will not adopt costly pouch systems for all students and noted recurring costs: he said some pouch systems start at about $30,000, while classroom lock boxes for 25 to 30 devices run roughly $200'$300. The district's approach will emphasize education, selective classroom tools where practical, and promoting alternatives such as non-internet flip phones.
During a Q&A, a rising senior asked how students would notify clubs about last-minute changes; Glover said the district will enable functional student email accounts so clubs can communicate securely without relying on personal devices during class. A separate student question about incapacitated staff on field trips produced the superintendent's guidance that common sense should prevail and that students would not be disciplined for contacting parents in a real emergency.
Loretta Rivers, chair of the policy committee, invited parents to join the committee and said public feedback will be taken into account as the board finalizes handbook language. Glover said the district will publish FAQs aligned with forthcoming DOE guidance and will communicate details to families over the summer and at back-to-school events.
The board has not yet voted on a final policy; Glover said handbook language, the precise consequence schedule and any after-school or extracurricular exceptions will be set by the board before the law takes effect. Parents with follow-up questions were directed to the superintendent's office for further information.
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