Erie school cellphone ban, student clothing policies on board agenda – Erie Times-News

A change in what students wear to school and when they can use their cellphones is on the Erie School Board’s May 13 meeting agenda.
The board is scheduled to vote on the Erie School District’s dress and grooming policy that would require standard school attire for students similar to what it was before COVID-19 disrupted in-person schooling. Up for revision is the personal electronic device policy, which would now include a bell-to-bell ban.
The board is scheduled to gather for a committee of the whole meeting May 13 at 5 p.m., followed by the regular voting meeting at 6 p.m., both at the district administration building, 1910 Sassafras St. The meeting will also be streamed live on the district’s YouTube channel.
If the revised policy is approved by the board, students will be required to wear solid-color shirts with a collar, such as oxford, polo or turtleneck, and short or long sleeves. Hoodies won’t be permitted during the school day but students can wear V-neck sweaters, cardigans and blazers over their shirt.
Pants will have to be black, khaki or navy blue and dress-style. Skirts or skorts have to be the same three colors and, along with shorts, can be no shorter than two inches above the knee.
Also on the May 13 agenda: Erie School Board to vote on keeping Harding School name
“It’s a reflection of what people have been asking for,” board President Jay Breneman told the Erie Times-News.
The policy the board will vote on says the purpose “is to establish clear expectations that promote an electronic device–free, distraction-free learning environment from the first bell to the last bell, while providing a structured system for secure storage of student-owned electronic devices during the school day.”
The ban would affect any electronic devices that can connect to the internet, including cellphones, smartphones, smartwatches, tablets and laptops, that are not owned by the school district or issued by it to a student.
See poll results: Should Pa. students be allowed to use cellphones in school?
The district would provide secure storage system, to be determined, for such devices and principals would enforce the ban.
Breneman said the district is trying to get ahead of a likely statewide law banning cellphones from children while they are in school.
Erie students are currently allowed to carry their phones on silent during the school day but can only use them at lunch and in hallways between classes.
The board also is set to vote on a preliminary budget for the next school year, which is required in May, with approval of a final budget having to be done by the end of June.
Breneman said the board had given the administration the OK to develop a proposed budget for 2026-27 based on a 2.8% property tax increase to help avoid a larger tax increase in future years.
“The final budget in June may be different,” Breneman said.
Dana Massing can be reached at dmassing@gannett.com.

source