The Cherry Hill school board has banned cell phones for its members during meetings — mirroring a student phone ban

After imposing a cell phone ban for students, the Cherry Hill school board has adopted a policy to require board members to put their devices away during meetings.

It is believed to be the first school board in the state to enact such a policy for board members, according to the New Jersey School Boards Association, which helps more than 600 boards adopt local policies.

The Cherry Hill Board of Education said it wants to reduce distractions and set a positive example for students. The South Jersey school system set new restrictions for students in September limiting cell phone use when class is in session.

“If we’re asking our students to do it, we should do it ourselves,” said Board President Gina Winters. ”It was an easy step forward.”

» READ MORE: Cherry Hill School District is banning cell phones in classrooms starting in September

During a meeting last week, the board voted 7-0 to endorse a revised policy that would restrict members from using wireless devices including phones, earbuds, smartwatches, and headphones. The policy took effect immediately.

“My phone just went in my bag,” one board member said after the vote.

Cherry Hill is among a growing number of school districts that have restricted the use of cell phones in school because of their effect on learning. School officials say that using the devices during instruction not only affects academics but also impairs student wellness and mental health.

In his State of the State address last month, Gov. Phil Murphy issued a directive calling for every New Jersey district to develop a policy restricting mobile devices during class. His proposal calls for the state Department of Education to develop guidelines for phone-free schools.

Under Murphy’s proposal, local boards would be required to adopt a policy, but districts could decide how to implement the restrictions, which could include providing sealed magnetic devices that enable students to keep phones in their possession but locked until the end of the day, or requiring students to keep devices in lockers or backpacks.

» READ MORE: Gov. Murphy proposes banning cell phones in N.J. schools during State of State address

During board trainings, the school boards association warns board members against allowing personal devices to become a distraction, said spokesperson Thomas Parmalee. None has taken the action that Cherry Hill has, he said.

“We are not aware of any boards that have revised their cell phone policy to prevent or limit board members from using a personal device while at a meeting,” Parmalee wrote in an email.

Cherry Hill tried a pilot program last year with board members securing their cell phones in magnetic pouch sleeves but decided it was too costly, Winters said. The board ultimately decided to adopt the same phone policy that it implemented for the district’s 11,000 students, she said.

During grade-bearing classes such as math, science, history, and physical education, students must keep the devices silenced and stored in a locker or backpack. Students may use their cell phones and other wireless communication devices during study hall, lunch, and recess, according to the policy.

The policy allows exceptions for students with individual education plans (IEPs) or 504 Plans to use wireless communication devices as part of their curriculum. Students with certain health conditions also may use them.

Winters said board members have embraced the new policy. The board did not have a major problem with members using their phones, but occasionally, a few would be seen responding to messages, she said.

“I actually find it very freeing,” Winters said. “You think it’s going to be harder than it really is.”

The policy allows board members to be excused to address urgent family or work-related issues. School Superintendent Kwame Morton is exempt from the policy. Morton said he would be willing to comply but often needs his phone to reach out to staff or get information for the board.

“I’m not on ESPN and looking up scores,” Morton said.

Nationally, most individual public schools prohibit cell phone use by students for nonacademic purposes, with 76% enacting bans of some kind in the 2021-22 school year, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. At least 19 states have passed laws or enacted policies that ban or restrict the devices or recommend local districts enact their own bans, according to Education Week.