Revere board gets preview of new cell phone policy

by Sheldon Ocker

March 18 board of education meeting

Superintendent Dan White apprised the Revere Board of Education of student cell phone rules that served as a first reading of a new policy, anticipating a vote in April.

At the core of the policy, students would be restricted in their use of cell phones during the school day. Phones would be tucked away in lockers and used only during moments when students have access to their lockers.

White acknowledged that there are times when it is appropriate, even necessary, for students to use their phones.

“We recognize that our parents and families have to communicate, especially with high school students,” he said.

However, he said the priority is to focus on what is being taught in classrooms, thus restricting the availability of cell phones.

“Our policy is to allow students, when they are at their lockers, to access their phones,” he said.

White said the district was prompted to alter its policy – which must be passed by July 1 – because of House Bill 250, recently adopted by the state legislature.

Despite the strict limits of phone use, White emphasized that he did not view the policy as “punitive.”

“We’re not going to ask them to empty their pockets,” he said.

Moreover, students who wear smart watches will not be told to stow them in their lockers.

“For example, if a student is sitting at their desk and has long sleeves on, and they are not messing with their phone [smart watch], there’s no reason a staff member is going to go, ‘Hey, show me your phone or your watch,’” White said. “If it’s not an issue, it won’t be addressed.”

If a student is found to have brought his phone to class, White wants teachers to limit their responses.

“This is not to be a power struggle,” he said. “If you’re a teacher in the middle of class and a student has a cell phone out, you can tell them to put the cell phone away.”

But if the student refuses, White has advised teachers to inform the principal or another administrator.

White cited the benefits of restricting cell phone access: fewer distractions and fights, less chance of cyber bullying and media drama, increased engagement among students, more efficiency, more vibrant lunchrooms and more time for reading.

“We want to focus … on being together with cell phones to the side,” White said.

The superintendent stressed that there will be exceptions to the policy, for example, medical necessities. Students will be permitted to have their phones out on buses, but the driver will have authority to tell students to put the phones away if they create a disturbance.

White added that the policy would be reviewed annually. It will go into effect for the 2025-26 school year if approved by the board.

Two Revere High juniors spoke to oppose the new rules, suggesting phones be kept in phone caddies, which would keep them in classrooms but away from students and offer more flexibility for use.

Gabi Iler said she distributed a survey to all Revere High students – there are more than 800 – and received 330 responses, 95% expressing opposition to the policy.

Erica Boggs said students would find a way around the rules.“I would like to address the reality of the situation,” she said. “If phones are banned outright and locked in lockers, students are just going to be sneakier.”