The Boulder Valley school board at Tuesday’s meeting got a first look at a new policy that would ban high school students from using their phones from bell to bell, including during passing periods and lunch.

Board members generally supported moving forward with implementing the policy starting in January, while acknowledging that there likely will be implementation challenges that need to be addressed.

School board member Jason Unger said the new policy represents a much-needed culture shift.

“The key here is we have a strong policy, now the issue is enforcement,” he said. “That’s where the challenge lies.”

The school board in August directed staff members to strengthen the district’s cell phone policy, citing a growing desire by educators and parents to separate students from their phones. Board members noted that, while they can’t control how students use phones outside school, they can make students take a break during school hours.

Boulder Valley’s current policy requires high school students to put away their phones during class, but doesn’t restrict them at other times during the school day. At elementary and middle schools, cell phones must be silenced and stowed away all day. The new policy extends those K-8 phone rules to the high schools. ‘

Along with phones, the policy includes smart watches and headphones. Students with a documented need for a phone for medical reasons, such as reminders to take medication, will be exempt. Teachers may make an exception if a personal device is needed for an educational reason. The board also supported allowing students access to phones so they could contact their families after — but not during — an emergency situation.

To learn more about potential implementation challenges, the district recently sent a survey to high school students, families and teachers. The survey received about 4,000 responses, which included a mix of support and concerns around the new policy.

Reasons for supporting a more strict high school cell phone policy included the potential to reduce distractions and increase focus and engagement in class. Others cited more face-to-face interactions and improved mental health. There also was support for a consistent policy across all schools and classrooms.

Concerns included limiting the ability of students to contact parents or emergency services during a crisis, as well as limiting parents’ ability to contact students during the school day to coordinate pick-ups and activities. Another concern was increasing anxiety and stress for students who use phones as a coping mechanism or for necessary communication. Difficulties around consistent enforcement was also a concern.

Student-specific concerns included emergency communication and the educational need for phones, such as taking photos of assignments and using educational apps. Communication during emergencies was a major concern for families. Enforcement and potential workload increases were the main concerns for teachers.

Superintendent Rob Anderson said he plans to work with the high schools on the best way to implement the new policy, which could include purchasing magnetic locking phone pouches districtwide or letting schools choose from several options. He added it may take some time for schools to reach consistent enforcement, given the short timeline to educate school communities about the change.

“We should anticipate some implementation challenges,” Anderson said.