Committee advances cell phone, Protect Act policies
Rehoboth's Dighton-Rehoboth Regional School Committee advanced first reads of a new cell phone ban and a state Protect Act policy Tuesday.
School Committee · Meeting of September 8, 2026
Rehoboth's Dighton-Rehoboth Regional School Committee advanced first reads of a new cell phone ban and a state Protect Act policy Tuesday. Superintendent Bill Rooney told the committee the state gave districts just 11 days to implement the Protect Act, which governs school responses to civil immigration enforcement, after Gov. Maura Healey signed it August 5 but DESE withheld guidance until August 21.
"The state didn't do us any favors with the timing," Rooney said. The committee also debated handbook-versus-policy conflicts in a proposed grades 3K-12 cell phone ban, and heard that the Dighton Elementary School project has submitted a preferred schematic report to the MSBA ahead of a September 16 subcommittee review. Both policies return for second reads September 22.
Minutes, warrants and payroll, and adjournment all passed unanimously.
In the full story:
- Who Was There
- Organizations And Documents Referenced
- The complete report — 2,339 words
Source: the School Committee meeting of September 8, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.
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