[SchoolFinance] FW: PRIORITY NOTICE: Implementation of Maine’s Bell-to-Bell Personal Electronic Device Policy

Thu May 21 16:42:30 EDT 2026

Thank you!

Is there any guidance on the allowable expenses for this money?

~Dawn

Dawn Blanchard
Director of Personnel and Finance
207-319-1950
Sent from mobile device

On Thu, May 21, 2026 at 4:09 PM Ellis, Charlotte <Charlotte.Ellis at maine.gov>
wrote:

> FYI
>
> Funds allocated to each school unit operating any grades 6-12 are linked
> in the notice below. And here:
> https://www.maine.gov/doe/sites/maine.gov.doe/files/inline-files/Technology%20%26%20Learning%20-%20Current%20Cell%20Phone%20Policy%20Counts%20-%205.18.2026.pdf
>
> ________________________________________
>
> *Charlotte M. Ellis*
> Analyst – School Finance and Compliance Helpdesk
> Maine Department of Education
> 23 State House
> <https://www.google.com/maps/search/23+State+House?entry=gmail&source=g>
> Station
> Augusta, Maine 04333-0023
> *Email: **charlotte.ellis at maine.gov <charlotte.ellis at maine.gov>*
> *Phone*: 207-624-6625
> Maine DOE <http://www.maine.gov/doe> | Facebook
> <https://www.facebook.com/MaineDepartmentofEducation1/> | Instagram
> <https://www.instagram.com/mainedepted/?hl=en> | Maine DOE Newsroom
> <https://mainedoenews.net/>
>
>
> [image: Picture 4, Picture]
>
>
>
> *From:* Maine Department of Education <communications.doe at maine.gov>
> *Sent:* Wednesday, May 20, 2026 2:50 PM
> *To:* Ellis, Charlotte <Charlotte.Ellis at maine.gov>
> *Subject:* PRIORITY NOTICE: Implementation of Maine’s Bell-to-Bell
> Personal Electronic Device Policy
>
>
>
> *EXTERNAL: This email originated from outside of the State of Maine Mail
> System. Do not click links or open attachments unless you recognize the
> sender and know the content is safe.*
>
> Priority Notice from the Maine Department of Education
>
> View this message in your browser
> <https://mailchi.mp/maine/cu5lemq6y0-1594470?e=cad42e3b04>.
>
>
>
>
> <https://us.list-manage.com/vXlkJOgEpuU?e=cad42e3b04&c2id=2719a1af93066ca303788645eb7f57c1>
>
> *PRIORITY NOTICE: Implementation of Maine’s Bell-to-Bell Personal
> Electronic Device Policy*
>
> Dear Champions of Education,
>
> The following information is intended to support school administrative
> units (SAUs) in preparing for the implementation of a new law requiring
> that school boards adopt and implement a policy “prohibiting student use of
> personal electronic devices for the duration of the school day, from
> starting bell to dismissal bell” by August 1, 2026.
>
> The following language is in Part GG of the Supplemental Budget and
> replaces the existing language in statute, which required a policy related
> to the use of personal electronic devices:
>
> *“By August 1, 2026, a school board shall adopt and implement a policy
> prohibiting student use of personal electronic devices for the duration of
> the school day, from starting bell to dismissal bell. The policy must
> restrict student use of cellular telephones and other personal electronic
> devices with Internet or cellular network capabilities. The Department of
> Education, in coordination with the Maine School Management Association or
> a successor organization and other relevant stakeholders, shall make
> available a model policy for school boards. The model policy must include
> exceptions for compliance with a student's individualized education
> program, a documented accommodation under Section 504 of the federal
> Rehabilitation Act of 1973, 29 United States Code, Section 794 (2026)
> regarding an individual student, the delivery of prescribed medical care as
> outlined in a student's individualized health care plan and language
> support services for a student who is an emergent English language learner
> when no other translation option is available.”*
>
> *Required Action*
> *All school boards must adopt a compliant local policy no later than
> August 1, 2026.*
>
> *Scope of the Law*
> The law applies to:
>
>    - Cell phones
>    - Smartwatches
>    - Other personal electronic devices with internet or cellular network
>    capabilities
>
> The legislation establishes a “bell-to-bell” expectation, meaning student
> use of these devices must be prohibited for the duration of the school day.
>
> *Model Policy Available*
> The Maine Department of Education (DOE) and Maine School Management
> Association (MSMA) collaborated on a model policy, which is available here: Model
> Policy JICJ – Cell Phones and Other Personal Electronic Devices in Schools
> <https://us.list-manage.com/OKRmqTRQ2Dk?e=cad42e3b04&c2id=2719a1af93066ca303788645eb7f57c1>
> .
>
> *Required Exceptions*
> Local policies must include exceptions for:
>
>    - A student’s Individualized Education Program (IEP)
>    - Documented Section 504 accommodations
>    - Medical care needs
>    - Translation needs when no other option is available
>
> Additional exceptions may be authorized in emergency situations,
> consistent with local health and safety procedures.
>
> *Maine DOE Implementation Guidance*
> The Maine DOE has developed Implementation Guidance
> <https://us.list-manage.com/kwgfh5KiK7C?e=cad42e3b04&c2id=2719a1af93066ca303788645eb7f57c1> intended
> to support thoughtful, student-centered implementation of bell-to-bell
> policies. The guidance emphasizes that while personal electronic device use
> is being prohibited, technology remains an important component of modern
> teaching and learning.
>
> The guidance includes recommendations related to:
>
>    - Intentional and instructional use of school-managed technology
>    - Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) considerations
>    - Equity and access for all learners
>    - Restorative and educational approaches to implementation and
>    discipline
>    - Communication, staff training, and implementation planning
>
> The guidance encourages SAUs to distinguish between prohibited personal
> electronic device use and purposeful instructional technology use, while
> continuing to support digital literacy, accessibility, and technology-rich
> learning environments.
>
> *Restorative and Educational Approaches*
> The Maine DOE encourages SAUs to approach implementation through clear
> expectations, consistent routines, and restorative practices that
> prioritize instruction, reflection, and relationship-centered responses to
> policy violations whenever possible.
>
> Recommended practices include:
>
>    - Explicitly teaching expectations and routines
>    - Progressive and educational responses to violations
>    - Restorative conversations and reflection
>    - Family engagement and collaborative problem-solving
>
> *Funding Support*
> The Maine DOE will provide funding for SAUs to support costs associated
> with prohibiting the use of personal electronic devices during the school
> day. A total of $350,000 has been allocated by the Maine Legislature for
> this initiative.
>
> Funds will be distributed to SAUs that operate schools serving grades 6
> through 12, based on October 1, 2025, attending enrollment counts (linked
> here
> <https://us.list-manage.com/pOWlCqRHQY4?e=cad42e3b04&c2id=2719a1af93066ca303788645eb7f57c1>). Distribution
> of funds to those SAUs will occur after the enactment of the Supplemental
> Budget on July 29, 2026. Funds should be recorded in each SAU as Revenue
> Code 3290 Miscellaneous State Receipt with a fund code in the range of 2200
> - 2214 – Special Revenue Fund – State Grants.
>
> *Additional Support Opportunities*
> To support implementation efforts statewide, the Maine DOE and Maine
> Center for Disease Control and Prevention will offer implementation support
> opportunities throughout the summer and fall. Additional information
> regarding webinars, technical assistance, and implementation resources will
> be shared in the coming weeks.
>
> *Questions*
> Questions regarding implementation may be directed to Maine DOE Learning
> Through Technology team coordinator Emma-Marie Banks at
> emma-marie.banks at maine.gov. Additional guidance and resources will
> continue to be shared on the Maine DOE website
> <https://us.list-manage.com/1884WCDaTfN?e=cad42e3b04&c2id=2719a1af93066ca303788645eb7f57c1>
> .
>
> Thank you.
>
>
> *Sent May 20, 2026*
>
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