Central Bucks board backs statewide bell-to-bell cellphone ban

The Central Bucks Board of School Directors has formally thrown its support behind a proposed statewide ban on student cellphone use during the entire school day.

In a resolution approved at its Thursday night meeting, the board expressed unified support for Senate Bill 1014, legislation that would require Pennsylvania school districts to prohibit students from using cellphones “bell-to-bell” beginning in the 2027–28 school year.

The bill, co-sponsored by State Sen. Steve Santarsiero, passed the Pennsylvania Senate on Feb. 3 and has moved to the House of Representatives for consideration. Gov. Josh Shapiro has announced he would sign the bill if it reaches his desk.

The resolution states that students “need to spend their time at school focused on learning, on socializing with their peers, and on developing the critical skills they’ll need later in life,” and argues that cellphone use during the school day “significantly distracts from these needs.”

Unlike an instructional-time ban, which limits phone use only during class periods, the proposed legislation would require a bell-to-bell policy, prohibiting student cellphone use throughout the entire school day, including lunch and passing periods. The resolution notes that instructional-time bans “ignore the critical development of social skills that occur between classes, at lunch, and during other free periods.”

The board’s resolution cites data indicating the average teen receives 237 notifications daily and spends roughly 90 minutes on their phone during school hours. It also points to concerns about adolescent mental health and the importance of developing “soft skills such as interacting with others,” stating that excessive screen time during the school day prevents students from building those skills.

Senate Bill 1014 would allow districts flexibility in how they implement and enforce the prohibition. The legislation includes exceptions for students with certain medical conditions, students whose individualized education programs require a personal communication device, English language learners using phones as instructional tools with principal approval, and single-day special events such as field days or science fairs. Teachers would also be permitted to use cellphones for instructional purposes in limited instances with principal approval.

In addition to declaring support for the measure, the Central Bucks board called on local state representatives — including Kathleen Tomlinson, Tim Brennan, Perry Warren, John Galloway, Tina Davis, Joe Hogan, Shelby Labs, Brian Munroe, Craig Staats and Kristin Marcell — to “take an unequivocal and public stand” in favor of the bill when it comes before the House.

If enacted, Central Bucks officials said the district would implement a bell-to-bell cellphone ban consistent with the law.

The resolution states the board looks forward to “fully implementing the bell-to-bell cellphone ban” should the legislation become law, describing the measure as a step toward “focused, distraction-reduced learning environments” that prioritize academics and student relationships during the school day.

Presently, according to Bucks Independence, cellphone use during the school day varies in school districts throughout Bucks County. The following are several schools and/or districts and brief statements of their policies: 

Central Bucks High School West (CBSD): Phones must be silent/off in class but can be used in between classes and at lunch. 

Quakertown: Some school officials want “responsible access” but have said they would comply if the law is passed. 

Neshaminy: Phones are banned from elementary school through high school. 

Bensalem, Centennial, and Pennsbury: Phone use is allowed in hallways and at lunch. 

Council Rock: No elementary school phone use is permitted. Middle schools need to keep their phones powered off and in their lockers. But they can use their phones on buses. CR North High School prohibits phone use in classes but allows it in hallways, at lunch, and on buses. CR South High School lets each teacher decide how phones in the classroom are treated. Phones can be used in hallways, at lunch, and on buses. 

New Hope-Solebury: Elementary schools, phones, and other electronic devices are banned on school grounds during school hours. At middle and high schools, phones are permitted only at lunch. 

Tony Di Domizio is the managing editor of CentralBucksNow. Email him at [email protected].