Barnstable School Committee Adopts Bell-to-Bell Cell Phone Ban for Fall 2026

BARNSTABLE — July 15, 2026 — Barnstable School Committee adopts bell-to-bell cell phone ban and clears seven other policy actions at its July 15 session. The committee voted 4-1 to create policy JICJ-A, prohibiting student use of cell phones and personal electronic devices during the entire school day, including passing time and lunch — an expansion of the prior rule. Superintendent Sarah Ahern reported that Governor Healey signed a $63.4 billion state budget on July 9, locking in a minimum Chapter 70 increase of $160 per pupil and a 23 percent boost to Circuit Breaker special education reimbursement, bringing that fund to $806 million and restoring expected full funding at the 75 percent level; the governor separately filed legislation to add a one-time $112 per-pupil supplement pending legislative action. The committee unanimously authorized the district to seek Town Council approval for a bus parking lease of up to 10 years, approved a new ILC classroom teacher position at Centerville Elementary and an aftercare nursing coordinator, and fast-tracked a state-required overhaul of the student restraint policy — renamed "Timeout, Seclusion, and Restraint of Students" — to meet a DESE deadline of August 17. Performing arts department head Elijah Langell presented a first-read proposal to name the newly completed Barnstable High School recording studio, described as the only such facility on Cape Cod, the Mark Hennessey Recording Studio, with roughly $100,000 in community equipment donations supporting the space.