The Black Horse Pike Regional School District is strictly enforcing its cell-phone free policy alongside state law that mandates “bell-to-bell” restrictions on all internet-enabled devices.
Superintendent Dr. Brian Repici informed district caregivers and the community on Feb. 2 that enforcement will “ensure a focused learning environment.”
“Triton, Highland, and Timber Creek high schools’ principals have sent several notifications out to students and parents regarding this change,” Repici explained. “We are in our second full week of a cell-phone free school environment, and I want to thank the students and parents for their understanding, collaboration and support.”
Repici said “99% of our students are respectful and responsible, and as a result, we have witnessed a resurgence of positive social engagement and academic focus.”
“Maintaining a distraction-free classroom is vital for student mental health and academic success,” the superintendent added. “Consequently, students found in violation of these rules will face progressive disciplinary actions, including a superintendent-level hearing after a fourth violation.
“We have already been made aware of students bringing secondary devices to circumnavigate the intent, and in those cases, students will be disciplined under the code of conduct policy for failure to follow directives.”
The New Jersey Department of Education Student Use Guidance provides more information on the state’s new cell-phone law, signed by then-Gov. Phil Murphy on Jan. 8. He first proposed the policy in his 2025 State of the State address, and highlighted it during a visit to Woodbury Junior-Senior High School last February.
Commissioner of Education Kevin Dehmer said the phone guidelines are designed to help state school boards “develop policies that will foster a positive school climate, improve academic engagement and protect student well-being.”
“These guidelines were developed thoughtfully, with significant stakeholder feedback,” he pointed out, “and are structured specifically to allow for local flexibility based on the needs and capacity of each local school community.”
The state’s guidance provides examples of storage options such as locked pouch systems and school-managed lockers and bins. While all school districts are required to adopt a day-long policy that complies with state law, they retain the flexibility to make decisions on options that best fit their needs.
The state guidance also outlines statutory requirements, policy considerations and implementation strategies, and it includes developmentally appropriate recommendations across various grade levels.
In other school news, Interim School Superintendent Mark Pease addressed concerns at a Feb. 11 meeting about how the Winslow Township district would handle ICE officers at its schools. He said he met with township police to discuss procedures.
A letter was sent to parents explaining the process, consistent with guidance issued by the New Jersey Department of Education.
