Phone policy rewritten to meet the new state law

What happened

The School Committee amended Policy 8517, Student Cell Phones and Other Personal Electronic Devices in Schools, so it complies with R.I. Gen. Law 16-21-43. The superintendent told members there had been no device problems at the elementary schools and very few at the junior high, that pupils follow current rules respectfully, and that after discussions at high school level and with no pushback from the Student Advisory Committee no issues were anticipated.

Why it matters to families

It sets the rules on phones for every pupil in the regional district, and the district's own account is that students were already largely following them.

The evidence

The April 28, 2026 approved minutes record the motion to approve Policy 8517 as amended and the superintendent's account of the revisions, made to ensure compliance with RIGL 16-21-43, along with his statements about the absence of device issues at the elementary and junior high schools and the lack of pushback from the Student Advisory Committee. The policy text was not filed with the minutes.

The source