The local school board has unanimously approved a new policy that will require middle and high school students to lock away their phones and other devices in special pouches during the school day.
The policy, which many students opposed, will be in effect when school begins in the fall. Members of the Maine School Administrative District 75 Board of Directors said they understood students’ concerns but agreed the change was necessary to support a more focused learning environment.
“I do want to acknowledge that there are many students and some parents who do not think this is a good idea and are not happy about it,” outgoing school board Chair Amy Spelke, of Topsham, said at the meeting. “There is definitely going to be some work for our administrative team to prepare for the first day of school and (make) everybody comfortable with what we’re doing.”
The 14-member school board approved the policy at its meeting on Thursday, June 26. MSAD 75 includes Harpswell, Topsham, Bowdoin and Bowdoinham.
Board member Hutson Hayward, of Bowdoinham, said Mt. Ararat High School Principal Chris Hoffman would give a presentation at a future board meeting to review the specifics of how the policy will be implemented. MSAD 75’s policy was developed by a special study group, informed by legal counsel and advice from the Maine School Management Association, as well as other districts.
In part, the new policy states: “At the middle and high school campuses smartwatches, cell phones, smartphones, and similar devices must be kept in the student’s locked security pouch. The provision of security pouches to students will be governed by school rules; students may be held responsible for the cost of replacing lost or damaged pouches.”
It adds: “The Superintendent and school administrators may permit further use of personal electronic devices during school activities and will clearly communicate that exception to students.”
In March, a group of Mt. Ararat students spoke out against the then-proposed policy, arguing that cellphones are a “scapegoat for preexisting problems” and that banning them wouldn’t address deeper issues students face.
The students urged school leaders to look beyond device restrictions and confront underlying challenges such as mental health, classroom dynamics and social pressures — suggesting that simply locking up phones might not lead to the meaningful improvements adults hope to see.
However, the policy adopted by MSAD 75 is part of a growing trend. Portland Public Schools passed a similar “bell-to-bell” ban on student cellphone use this month.
The Maine Legislature recently considered a statewide ban, but instead passed a law that requires all school districts to develop their own policy on phones by Aug. 1, 2026. The law doesn’t require districts to impose outright bans.
According to the online political encyclopedia Ballotpedia, 21 states have passed policies banning or limiting student cellphone use in school.
At Thursday’s meeting, multiple board members referenced Morse High School in Bath. Morse is part of Regional School Unit 1, which became the first Maine school district to approve a cellphone ban in June 2024. Since then, leaders at Morse have reported significant benefits, including heightened student engagement, improved classroom energy, fewer distractions and a noticeable boost in social interaction.
Morse uses lockable fabric pouches made by a company called Yondr. All students are required to place their phones into a pouch at the beginning of the school day at tables set up by the school each morning.
The students keep the locked pouches containing their phones or other devices throughout the day. After the final bell, they head back to the tables to unlock their pouches.
The students’ devices always remain with them, which Hoffman, the Mt. Ararat principal, has said is appreciated by parents who use GPS to track their child’s location.
“About 18 months ago, when this concept was first circulated, I thought, there’s no way it’s going to work,” Spelke said. “So, I want to thank Morse for showing us it could work, and for making me a believer. I think it’s going to be a really good improvement in our schools.”
