A new policy being considered by Jeannette City School District directors would restrict student cellphones during instructional time, said superintendent Matt Jones.
Directors unanimously approved an initial version of the policy this month and must vote for a second time in June before it is officially on the books.
If it is approved, the policy would go into effect for the 2026-27 school year for students in all grades, Jones said.
“This is protecting instructional time,” he said, adding that, if approved, only district-issued electronic devices will be permitted during class.
State legislators are looking at the issue of cellphones in classrooms and a bipartisan bill is working its way through Harrisburg. The measure would require school districts to create a policy prohibiting students in public schools from using or possessing a cellphone during the school day, according to State Rep. Mandy Steele, D-Allegheny.
Gov. Josh Shapiro has expressed support for the proposal that he said would eliminate distractions from classrooms and help students focus on learning, socializing and developing critical skills.
Jeannette’s proposed policy would allow building principals leeway to permit cellphone use for educational purposes or other reasons. Teachers will be responsible for monitoring students, if the measure is approved by school directors, Jones said.
An attempt last year at requiring mandatory classroom storage of student cellphones in the district for all grades failed to get enough support from school directors.
As of this spring, at least 37 states and the District of Columbia require school districts to ban or restrict students’ phone use in schools, according to the Associated Press. Jones said Jeannette’s proposed policy mirrors those of other school districts in the area.