By Kendra Williams
In preparation for a new state law taking effect Aug. 1, the Sanford School Committee unanimously approved a bell-to-bell ban on student cell phones and other personal electronic devices at its June 15 meeting. The policy and accompanying procedures are based on a model developed by the Maine Department of Education and will be implemented at the beginning of the next school year.
Although the ban applies from pre-K through grade 12, the primary focus is on grades 5-12. Students at the middle and high schools will be provided with assigned, individually numbered pouches. When they enter the building, they’ll put their phone and watch in the pouch and walk through a station that locks it. They can keep their phone with them throughout the day and unlock it when they leave. The system has been used successfully in multiple school districts across the state that implemented it before the law was passed.
Because this is a state law, there will be consequences for non-compliance. Student handbooks are being updated that outline the progression of discipline. A letter will also be sent to families. Assistant Superintendent Steve Bussiere is planning to create a frequently asked questions document this summer.
Bussiere also provided an update on another significant state-directed change that will impact the district’s youngest learners. He outlined progress as the provision of special education services for 3-and 4-year-olds transitions from Child Development Services (CDS) to the Sanford School Department in September. This is a result of legislation passed in 2024. CDS will still provide services to younger children and assist with referrals to contract providers.
121 students were on the list last week and the list is growing as pre-k staff complete screenings. Work continues connecting students to services, hiring, and contracts with providers. It’s expected that there will be classrooms in each of the elementary schools.
Communication to families will begin in July, including a letter giving them an update on the transition process and letting them know they need to register with the School Department. Providers will also be kept informed of progress, and a website will be launched in early August.
After reviewing preparations for expanded early childhood services, the committee turned its attention to student achievement and the district’s spring assessment data.
Curriculum Director Beth Lambert presented an overview of spring assessment results, reporting that Sanford students are performing generally in line with national averages, with growth and achievement scores hovering around the 50th percentile. The results represent districtwide trends rather than individual student performance. She noted that state assessment results remain preliminary pending final verification and emphasized that attendance, test participation, and student demographics all influence district performance data.
Lambert highlighted strong gains in early literacy following the implementation of a new curriculum and targeted interventions, particularly in kindergarten through Grade 2.
District administrators will conduct a more detailed analysis of the data this summer to identify areas of success and focus resources on continued literacy and math improvement efforts.
Go here to watch the full meeting https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OL8Jpj9JkGU&t=4387s
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