Marin County school district considers restricting student cellphone use

Tamalpais Union High School District weighs options to limit phone access during school hours

Apr. 4, 2026 at 2:12am by Ben Kaplan

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A grid of brightly colored, silkscreen-style smartphone icons in neon shades of blue, pink, and yellow, conceptually representing the debate over restricting student access to mobile devices during school hours.A bold, pop art-inspired illustration captures the debate over student cellphone use in Marin County schools.San Francisco Today

The Tamalpais Union High School District in Marin County, California is considering a plan to restrict student cellphone usage on campus. School leaders are exploring options like locked pouches or having teachers collect phones at the start of class to minimize distractions and increase student engagement.

Why it matters

Cellphone use during school hours has been linked to decreased academic performance, cyberbullying, and mental health issues for students. This policy change aims to address these concerns and promote a more focused learning environment.

The details

The school board is considering a 'bell-to-bell' policy that would prohibit students from using cellphones on campus, with exceptions for emergencies. They are also looking into purchasing $140,000 worth of phone pouches to store devices during the school day. Supporters of the policy change argue it will lead to healthier, more engaged students, while the district has assured parents there will still be ways to reach their children in case of emergencies.

  • The Tamalpais Union High School District will discuss and potentially vote on the cellphone restriction plan on April 14, 2026.
  • The goal is to have the new policy in effect by the start of the next academic year.

The players

David McMorran

A parent in the Tamalpais Union High School District who is urging the district to pass a bell-to-bell policy restricting cellphone usage on school grounds.

Edie McMorran

David McMorran's daughter, who attends a middle school in a different district and has already gotten used to a no-phone policy at her school.

Lauren Goodman

A parent who wrote a letter alongside nonprofit Screen Sence, to the board of trustees, urging for cellphone limitations. The letter has amassed over 900 signatures.

Jennifer Holden

A board trustee with the Tamalpais Union High School District who said they are taking all options for phone restrictions into consideration.

Danny Weiss

The chief advocacy officer with Common Sense Media, who has been working with New York educators on no-cellphone policies and is pushing for California to prohibit the use of cellphones and internet-connected devices in schools by 2027.

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What they’re saying

“I am a little dismayed that the kids are at school at lunch and passing periods and checking social things, playing games, being distracted and generally being less connected to their peers.”

— David McMorran, Parent

“Talking with peers that we don't like sit next to and are friends with. And I feel like that really helped connect with everyone.”

— Edie McMorran, Student

“On average, students lose about 56 school days because of cell phone use. And that has to do with the way we learn, and process information. So, if you're not using your cellphone in class, you're learning a new concept, but you immediately go and pick up that cellphone, you've now lost what you've learned.”

— Jennifer Holden, Board Trustee

“You want to minimize the role that the teacher has to play in enforcing the policy, so you put more of the burden on the students themselves and possibly other administrators.”

— Danny Weiss, Chief Advocacy Officer, Common Sense Media

“Don't bring phones that have access to everything in the world. And more importantly, everything in the world has access to our kids, when they're supposed to be focused on the teachers.”

— David McMorran, Parent

What’s next

The Tamalpais Union High School District board will vote on the cellphone restriction plan at their meeting on April 14, 2026. If approved, the new policy is expected to go into effect at the start of the 2026-2027 academic year.

The takeaway

This proposed cellphone policy change in Marin County highlights the growing concern among educators and parents about the negative impacts of student smartphone use during school hours. By limiting access, the district aims to foster a more focused learning environment and promote healthier social interactions among students.