Phones banned during class time in all Carlsbad schools

What happened

On Sept. 15, 2026 the board adopted a new phone policy. Students may not use phones, smartwatches, tablets, laptops or game devices during class time. The old policy, adopted in Dec. 2025, only let principals make their own rules.

Why it matters to families

This changes the school day for every student. Principals can allow phones only for health or safety reasons, a student's IEP or 504 plan, or teacher-led class work. They can also make stricter rules, like locking phones away all day.

The evidence

The Sept. 15, 2026 board book has the full policy JICJ-J-3150. The signed minutes of that meeting record its adoption. The policy also says phones taken for breaking the rules may be kept until a parent meets with the school, and it requires yearly digital citizenship lessons in grades K-12.

The source