Lewiston School Committee members have concerns about a proposed policy meant to meet the statewide cellphone ban that is coming next school year.

Despite those concerns, the committee approved the policy on first read Monday. It goes back to the policy committee for edits before coming back to the school committee for final approval.

Lewiston bans cellphones during school hours for students in prekindergarten through eighth grade. However, members were concerned that taking phones away from high school students would make them feel less safe, particularly in a city that has experienced a mass shooting in October 2023 and recent shootings by juveniles and young adults.

“I have to stick up for kids, at least at the high school. They are safer with a cellphone,” Janet Beaudoin of Ward 2 said. “Lewiston is a different district and I will die on that hill.”

The statewide cellphone ban — approved in Gov. Janet Mills’ supplemental budget in April — requires all districts to adopt a policy by Aug. 1 “prohibiting student use of personal electronic devices for the duration of the school day, from starting bell to dismissal bell.”

Lewiston is among several school districts in Maine that banned cellphones for younger students in 2022 upon recommendation from teachers.

Lewiston’s ban has had positive responses academically, though some students said they were anxious not knowing what is going on in the community or with family, which echoes Beaudoin’s concern.

The new proposed policy in Lewiston would implement an all-grade, bell-to-bell cellphone ban that also includes smart watches and any other personal device of a student’s that has internet.

Some exceptions remain, such as if a student has a health condition that needs monitoring, but phones must be powered off before the school day begins and stored away, the policy reads.

In the event of an emergency, the school would contact parents, according to the policy.

Chairperson Phoenix McLaughlin wondered if the committee should be specific about what “stored away” means, whether it’s in a locker, or a pocket, where it would still be accessible in an emergency.

Superintendent Jake Langlais said some school districts have opted to purchase pouches that students store their phones in, only able to be unlocked by a magnet.

Meghan Hird of Ward 5 asked what would happen if the district didn’t follow the statewide ban.

“We’d be breaking the law,” Langlais said, and state funding could be withheld.

Hird also worried that the policy will be a burden for teachers to deal with in the classroom. She wanted to ensure that all teachers are on the same page for disciplinary action if students are caught with their cellphone, which Langlais said teachers would be.

The proposed policy outlines consequences of any cellphone use violations, starting at a verbal warning and ending in the possibility of disciplinary consequences.

“Now we’re asking them to police the cellphone policy?” Hird asked.

Donna Gallant of Ward 7 said she understands the concerns about safety and Lewiston is different from other school districts. But, she said, ultimately a ban is the best choice for students’ mental health.

“It’s not so much about academics, but the emotional and mental health of these kids, that they’re doing better,” Gallant said. “There’s no cyberbullying. There’s different things that go on, we know, and I understand that Lewiston is a different system, but I support this.”

The draft policy’s second read will likely be held at the school committee meeting June 15 at The Green Ladle at 156 East Ave.