The Erie School Board approved two major policy changes tonight that could impact students across the district, including updates to the dress code and cell phone use during the school day.
The updated dress code brings back standardized school attire similar to pre-pandemic rules, requiring students to wear collared shirts while banning hoodies during the school day.
Board members also approved a new “bell-to-bell” cell phone policy, which prohibits students from using personal electronic devices from the first bell until dismissal. District leaders say the change is aimed at reducing distractions and helping students stay focused in the classroom.
We also spoke with Assistant Superintendent Teresa Szumigala about what led to the policy changes and how the district plans to implement them moving forward. Szumigala says the district has spent the past several years reviewing and studying possible updates to its cell phone policy before bringing the proposal to the board for approval.