--- title: Highland Park LMC Develops District-wide Cellphone Policy description: Highland Park School District implements a successful cellphone policy, boosting student engagement and focus, reducing hall passes, and fostering social interaction and physical activity. image: https://lmcpartnerships.org/hubfs/Screenshot%202026-02-06%20at%204.42.00%20PM.png --- [Skip to content](https://lmcpartnerships.org/blog/highland-park-lmc-develops-district-wide-cellphone-policy#main-content) [![NJLMC-Logo_Horiz](https://lmcpartnerships.org/hubfs/Artwork/NJLMC-Logo_Horiz.png "NJLMC-Logo_Horiz")](https://lmcpartnerships.org) - [About](https://lmcpartnerships.org/about) - [Events](https://lmcpartnerships.org/lmc-events) - [PreCon 2026](https://lmcpartnerships.org/precon2026) - [Well-Being Study Enrollment](https://lmcpartnerships.org/et-study) - [Stories](https://lmcpartnerships.org/blog) - [Resources](https://22126916.hs-sites.com/blog/tag/toolkit) Feb 6, 2026, 4:44:53 PM # Highland Park LMC Develops District-wide Cellphone Policy ![Picture of Kimberly Crane](https://lmcpartnerships.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Headshot/Untitled%20design%20(5).png?width=50&name=Untitled%20design%20(5).png) [Kimberly Crane](https://lmcpartnerships.org/blog/author/kim-crane) Share: [facebook-f icon](http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=https://lmcpartnerships.org/blog/highland-park-lmc-develops-district-wide-cellphone-policy) [linkedin-in icon](http://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https://lmcpartnerships.org/blog/highland-park-lmc-develops-district-wide-cellphone-policy) [envelope icon](mailto:?body=https://lmcpartnerships.org/blog/highland-park-lmc-develops-district-wide-cellphone-policy) - ![Screenshot 2026-02-06 at 4.42.00 PM](https://lmcpartnerships.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Screenshot%202026-02-06%20at%204.42.00%20PM.png?width=2138&height=1442&name=Screenshot%202026-02-06%20at%204.42.00%20PM.png) Hover message   > “It wasn't just about banning phones. It was about rediscovering student engagement.” -Keith Presty HPEA President   **Tackling a ubiquitous issue** Navigating the issues that personal electronic devices (PED), especially cellphones, bring to the classroom is apart of daily life for educators. The Highland Park School District labor-management collaborative (LMC) teams recently developed and implemented a cell phone policy so successful that other districts are now reaching out for advice. **A rationale for change** “Prior to this school year, we observed increasing student distraction from PEDs ,particularly during instructional time,” says HPEA President Keith Presty, “Hallways were congested, and student focus in classes felt compromised by the constant pull of external notifications.” Highland Park staff and administration both recognized that students were increasingly disengaged and that something needed to change. **Setting the collaborative stage** The PED policy groundwork began this past summer. The district’s central leadership team (CLT) is composed of HPEA members, association leadership, administrators, and board of education members, including Board President Allison Casal-Dunn. By early September, a comprehensive policy was laid out. It was clear that there would be zero tolerance for cell phone use during instructional time. “The rules are firm,” says Superintendent Kristina Susca, “We outlined the progressive consequence structure, starting with a verbal warning and a parent notification email, escalating to documentation, further parent contact for repeat offenses, etc.” The district also specified when and where phones were permitted—study hall, passing periods, lunch and on the bus. As with any new policy, the CLT understands that consistency, holding students accountable and supporting staff as they enforce it are key to ensuring effectiveness.  **Staff and parent engagement** Highland Park’s CLT understood that communication with parents about the new cellphone policy was vital. They maintained constant contact with families, especially during the first week. They scheduled dedicated parent meetings to discuss enforcement and address any concerns. This open dialogue was crucial to building understanding and support within the community. "We were very intentional about communicating to students and parents in advance of implementation," says board member and past board president, Marylin Pruce. The policy extended to all devices—phones,AirPods, smartwatches—and an individual accommodation system for those with legitimate medical needs as called for in their IEPs and 504 plans, was established to ensure fairness. **Positive outcomes and impact data** The policy is adjusted to accommodate the needs of each school building. In the first week, the district saw remarkable results. At the middle school, 822 fewer hall passes were recorded—a dramatic decrease in loitering and unnecessary movement. Student focus in classes increased significantly, and outdoor recess participation for middle schoolers jumped from 10% to an impressive 90%. Students were rediscovering social interaction and physical activity. A significant number of students choosing not to bring phones to school at all. Student representatives on the school board expressed gratitude for the positive shift in school climate, and the feedback from most students has been surprisingly positive. **Reflectionson success** “Our PED policy journey in HighlandPark has been transformative,” says Presty, “It wasn't just about banning phones; it was about reclaiming our learning environment and rediscovering student engagement.” Highland Park’s work on this issue is a testament to what can be achieved when collaborative teams set a clear vision, create time for consistent communication, and commit to positive change. [Stories](https://lmcpartnerships.org/blog/tag/stories), [Student Behavior](https://lmcpartnerships.org/blog/tag/student-behavior), [Shared Purpose](https://lmcpartnerships.org/blog/tag/shared-purpose), [Initiatives](https://lmcpartnerships.org/blog/tag/initiatives), [Results](https://lmcpartnerships.org/blog/tag/results), [Wins](https://lmcpartnerships.org/blog/tag/wins), [Successes](https://lmcpartnerships.org/blog/tag/successes) ## Related posts [![Laura Zagorski and Ahmad Hamdeh](https://lmcpartnerships.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Events/labor-management-collaborative_53344662106_o.jpg?height=200&name=labor-management-collaborative_53344662106_o.jpg)](https://lmcpartnerships.org/blog/principals-perspectives-on-njlmc) [Stories](https://lmcpartnerships.org/blog/tag/stories), [Empowered Participants](https://lmcpartnerships.org/blog/tag/empowered-participants), [Principals & Supervisors](https://lmcpartnerships.org/blog/tag/principals-supervisors) ## [Principals’ perspectives on NJLMC](https://lmcpartnerships.org/blog/principals-perspectives-on-njlmc) ![Picture of Kimberly Crane](https://lmcpartnerships.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Headshot/Untitled%20design%20(5).png?width=50&name=Untitled%20design%20(5).png) [Kimberly Crane](https://lmcpartnerships.org/blog/author/kim-crane) Sep 29, 2025, 11:40:50 AM Interviews by Kimberly Crane [Read more](https://lmcpartnerships.org/blog/principals-perspectives-on-njlmc) [![](https://lmcpartnerships.org/hs-fs/hubfs/cherryhillDistrict-Leadership-meeting-1024x771-landscape-31852114d5f81a1902443f6c3b174f8a-60f5e5ef0f08a.jpeg?height=200&name=cherryhillDistrict-Leadership-meeting-1024x771-landscape-31852114d5f81a1902443f6c3b174f8a-60f5e5ef0f08a.jpeg)](https://lmcpartnerships.org/blog/lmc-results) [Stories](https://lmcpartnerships.org/blog/tag/stories), [Knowledge Brokering](https://lmcpartnerships.org/blog/tag/knowledge-brokering), [Empowered Participants](https://lmcpartnerships.org/blog/tag/empowered-participants), [Union](https://lmcpartnerships.org/blog/tag/union), [Board Members](https://lmcpartnerships.org/blog/tag/board-members), [Successes](https://lmcpartnerships.org/blog/tag/successes) ## [LMC = Results](https://lmcpartnerships.org/blog/lmc-results) ![Picture of Kimberly Crane](https://lmcpartnerships.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Headshot/Untitled%20design%20(5).png?width=50&name=Untitled%20design%20(5).png) [Kimberly Crane](https://lmcpartnerships.org/blog/author/kim-crane) Oct 2, 2025, 3:47:08 PM Cherry Hill Public School District Labor Management Collaborative works together to obtain $1.5... [Read more](https://lmcpartnerships.org/blog/lmc-results) [![](https://lmcpartnerships.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Keith-Kristina-Allison-Casal-Dunn-3-2048x1536.jpg?height=200&name=Keith-Kristina-Allison-Casal-Dunn-3-2048x1536.jpg)](https://lmcpartnerships.org/blog/highland-park-labor-management-team-tackles-school-hours) [Stories](https://lmcpartnerships.org/blog/tag/stories), [Empowered Participants](https://lmcpartnerships.org/blog/tag/empowered-participants), [Partnering with the Community](https://lmcpartnerships.org/blog/tag/partnering-with-the-community), [Union](https://lmcpartnerships.org/blog/tag/union), [Superintendent](https://lmcpartnerships.org/blog/tag/superintendent), [Initiatives](https://lmcpartnerships.org/blog/tag/initiatives), [Board Members](https://lmcpartnerships.org/blog/tag/board-members) ## [Highland Park Labor-Management team tackles school hours](https://lmcpartnerships.org/blog/highland-park-labor-management-team-tackles-school-hours) ![Picture of Kimberly Crane](https://lmcpartnerships.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Headshot/Untitled%20design%20(5).png?width=50&name=Untitled%20design%20(5).png) [Kimberly Crane](https://lmcpartnerships.org/blog/author/kim-crane) Oct 2, 2025, 3:39:24 PM Student arrival and dismissal times adjusted to reflect research by Kimberly Crane [Read more](https://lmcpartnerships.org/blog/highland-park-labor-management-team-tackles-school-hours)   ![NJLMC-Icon](https://lmcpartnerships.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Artwork/NJLMC-Icon.png?width=150&name=NJLMC-Icon.png "NJLMC-Icon") ## Our Support The New Jersey Labor Management Collaborative, an initiative dedicated to fostering productive relationships between labor and management in New Jersey’s educational system, thrives through the robust support of the National Education Association (NEA). This partnership exemplifies NEA’s commitment to enhancing educational environments not only in New Jersey but across the nation.  The NEA, as part of the National Labor Management Partnership (NLMP), a coalition of the national organizations of the nation’s educators, is cultivating a dynamic ecosystem of support that empowers districts to implement collaborative strategies effectively. Through providing crucial resources, expertise and ongoing consultation, the NLMP nurtures a sense of collective efficacy between labor and management, driving improvements in teaching conditions and student outcomes.  This collaborative approach has shown tangible benefits, leading to more cohesive school communities and a better educational experience for all stakeholders. By backing initiatives like the New Jersey Labor Management Collaborative, NEA demonstrates its dedication to fostering a culture of cooperation and mutual respect within the education sector, paving the way for sustained success and innovation.  For more information about NEA’s role in labor management collaboration, visit *[nea.org/collaboration](http://nea.org/collaboration?utm_source=hs_email&utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz--a-CPUORCZmYNlfJr6IpE0I6PEKpkZhY8CGgoIise9UFZFz9whESs4JsWV1Zx7htCChMvz).  *   The New Jersey Labor Management Collaborative 172 W. 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