New phone rules add a two-day detention for a first offence at the high school

What happened

On August 13, 2026 the committee adopted amended policies I-2 and G-14 on personal electronic devices, written to comply with a new state law, together with revised high school and middle school handbooks. The rules require students to keep phones in a backpack or locker rather than on their person, and the policy subcommittee added a two-day detention to the consequences for a first offence at the high school after administrators asked for a stronger deterrent. Administrators reported about 600 device infractions in the previous year. The requirement that every student be issued a locker was dropped after the committee decided not to make students leave backpacks in lockers.

Why it matters to families

This changes what a Cumberland student may carry during the school day and what happens the first time they are caught with a phone. Subcommittee members raised concerns during the debate about students needing access to hygiene items, medical devices such as blood sugar monitors, water and snacks.

The evidence

The August 11, 2026 policy subcommittee minutes record the amendment adding a two-day detention to first offence consequences at the high school and the statement that students cannot carry devices on their person, along with the 600 infraction figure. The approved August 13, 2026 minutes record adoption of I-2 as amended 6-0, G-14 6-0, and the handbook change removing the requirement that all students be assigned lockers.

The source