Cell Phones and Electronic Devices

Beginning with the 2025-2026 school year WNESU has a new policy that governs students’ personal electronic use (“WNESU Phone and Personal Electronic Device Free School for Students”). This policy follows larger State requirements signed into law by Governor Phil Scott as part of bill H. 480. Cell phones will no longer be permitted for student use during the school day, including, but not limited to, classrooms, hallways, restrooms, lunch periods, tech transportation at the high school, and school-sponsored field trips. At the high school, cell phones and personal electronic devices are not permitted from 7:00am until 2:45pm with additional co-curricular activities limitations outlined below.

As outlined in the WNESU policy, we will be following a “no cell, bell to bell” procedure, which explicitly restricts use of the following during school:

●  cell phones (both phones that connect to the internet and non-internet connected phones that send and receive text messages, and make phone calls);

●  personal electronic devices such as electronic tablets and video games;

●  AirPods, earbuds, Bluetooth-connected headphones, and smartwatches that connect to the internet.

Device restrictions also extend into our after-school programming:

●  Devices are not permitted to be utilized from the start of practice / activity until the coach / activity coordinator dismisses a student. Additional guidance on device usage will be provided by coaches / activity coordinators as it pertains to potential use or restrictions during transportation to/from games / programming and other events.

●  Homework Lab: At the high school, device restrictions apply through the optional afternoon homework lab.

Per the WNESU policy, exceptions for this policy are limited, and the school shall require documentation from a licensed medical professional to support an exception for conditions such as diabetes or seizure monitoring. The exception is specific to the need only and still prohibits cell phone use for any other purpose. Exceptions are required to be documented within an IEP, 504, and/or individualized health plan (IHP) and explicitly recommended to the team, in writing, by a licensed medical professional.

For both high school and middle school students, it is preferred that students leave their devices at home (or in their vehicles where applicable). Students also have the option to turn in their phone each morning to the Main Office to be secured there and students may pick-up at the close of the school day between 2:45-3:00 pm. If a student needs to contact a parent or guardian during school hours, they will be able to do so from the main office.