Middle and high school students must keep phones in locked pouches

What happened

Under the revised cell phone policy (JICJ) that came to the board for second reading and adoption on September 10, 2026, students may not use personal devices at school except for approved educational, health or safety reasons, health plans, IEPs, 504 plans, language support or emergencies. At Mt. Ararat Middle and High School, phones and smartwatches must be kept in the student's locked security pouch.

Why it matters to families

This is the daily phone rule for every MSAD 75 student. Families may have to pay to replace lost or damaged pouches.

The evidence

Policy JICJ second-read packet (September 10, 2026), sections A and B: 'At the middle and high school campuses smartwatches, cell phones, smartphones, and similar devices must be kept in the student's locked security pouch'; 'students may be held responsible for the cost of replacing lost or damaged pouches.'

The source