Committee adopts phone-free school policy and related participation rules

The Lisbon School Committee completed a second reading and adopted policy packet 26-10 on Aug. 3. The packet includes rules on public participation at school committee meetings, employee cell-phone use, a phone-free schools policy limiting student use of personal devices for school purposes, and policies addressing private-school and public-charter student access to extracurricular and co-curricular programs.

"Under this law, they cannot use any personal devices in school any longer for school purposes," Julie said when a committee member asked about student laptops and personal devices; she added that accommodations would remain for students with 504 plans or individualized education programs. Committee members discussed communication to families, and the superintendent said administrators would use ParentSquare to notify families so the change would not come as a surprise at the start of school.

Members noted social media activity but said the district had not received phone calls about the policy; the superintendent also said administrators plan an internal meeting to work through implementation details because the topic is sensitive for many families. Committee members asked for a clear rollout plan and a timeline for parent communications prior to opening day.

Committee members voted to adopt the packet after a motion and second; the transcript records the motions and affirmative votes.