The Madison Metropolitan School District (MMSD) Board of Education approved a new policy banning wireless communication devices during school hours on June 22.
The policy will place a full-day ban on electronic devices for K-8 students. High school students will have an exception during lunch periods.
In the new policy, passing periods will be considered instruction time, meaning students will not be allowed to use their devices.
The proposed policy was recommended by five University of Wisconsin-Madison graduate students who studied the relationship between students and cell phone usage upon request by the district. In their final report, the researchers recommended using classroom cell phone storage devices such as cubbies or lockers to help distance high school students from their cell phones
MMSD has previously allowed principals to determine the fate of cell phone usage in classrooms. However, a new state law signed on Oct. 31, 2026 declared a state-wide ban on electronic devices in classrooms, requiring the school board to implement a district-wide policy leading up to the 2026-2027 academic year.
The new school policy placed a ban on all electronic devices, including laptops and tablets with an exception for emergencies, managing student health care, educational purposes as consented by a teacher and as accommodations for students with disabilities.
Students who are found breaking the policy could face disciplinary action with possible confiscation of their wireless device after a verbal warning.
For repeated violations, the proposed policy would follow the district’s Behavior Education Plan, which includes "potential restriction of device possession during school hours."
Suspension isn’t listed as a possible discipline.
High school principals are deciding between classroom wireless storage options such as students storing the electronics themselves and securing the devices in a classroom cell phone storage during the school day.
It is unclear how much money the district is willing to spend for the classroom electronic device storage solutions.
