Washington County Public Schools Considers Stricter Cell Phone Ban for Students

Washington County Public Schools (WCPS) is seeking community input as it reviews proposed changes to its policy regarding student use of personal electronic devices, including cell phones, smartwatches, and earbuds, during the school day. These potential revisions are in response to the new Maryland Phone-Free Schools Act, which mandates that all school systems in the state implement policies restricting student access to such devices while classes are in session. While the state law requires these changes to be in effect by the 2027-2028 academic year, WCPS aims to adopt them for the upcoming 2026-2027 school year, with the goal of minimizing classroom distractions and fostering a more focused learning environment.

The current policy, JICJ, titled “Use of Personally-Owned Electronic Devices,” presently requires students to keep their devices “Off and Out of Sight” during instructional periods. The proposed updates, however, would significantly expand these restrictions. Under the revised policy, students would be required to store all personally-owned electronic devices in their lockers or cubbies for the entirety of the school day, from the first bell to the last. This means that the use of cell phones and other smart devices would be prohibited throughout the entire school day, including during lunch, recess, and passing periods between classes. Furthermore, the proposed changes would explicitly prevent students from accessing social media while on school grounds during school hours.

While the proposed policy aims for a comprehensive phone-free environment, certain exceptions are being considered. Students would still be permitted to use their devices for specific medical or health-related needs, as well as for learning accommodations. Additionally, administrator-approved educational activities, emergencies, and other situations deemed necessary by school administrators would allow for device use. The policy also indicates that students may be allowed to use their devices on school buses, provided that such use does not create disruptions or distractions.

The Washington County Board of Education (WCBOE) is actively encouraging all members of the WCPS community to share their perspectives on these proposed policy adjustments by completing a brief survey. The survey will remain open for submissions until Friday, May 29, 2026. Following the closure of the survey, the WCBOE Policy Committee is scheduled to review the feedback received at a public meeting on Thursday, June 11, 2026. A final decision on the proposed changes to Policy JICJ could be presented to the Board for consideration at their public business meeting on Tuesday, June 16, 2026. These changes, if approved, will impact the daily routines of students and expectations for device usage throughout the school day, aiming to enhance the educational experience by reducing potential distractions.

Article by Mel Anara, based upon information from the Washington County Board of Education.

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