Talbot County Schools Go Phone-Free Starting This Year

Talbot County, MD - Talbot County Public Schools will start the new school year with a major change for students. When classes begin on August 24, 2026, the district will move to a "no cell, bell to bell" policy for all grade levels.

Under the new rule, students will not be allowed to use cell phones, smartwatches, headphones, earbuds, or other personal communication devices during the school day. The change applies to every grade level across the district.

Superintendent Sharon Pepukayi explained the shift is tied to state law. The change comes in response to the Maryland Phone-Free Schools Act, which passed during the 2026 Maryland General Assembly and requires all public school systems in the state to adopt device policies by the 2027-28 school year.

Talbot County is choosing to get ahead of that deadline. The Talbot County Board of Education decided to begin following the new expectations during the 2026-27 school year to help the transition go smoothly.

This is not the district's first experience with the idea. Easton Middle School piloted Yondr phone pouches during the 2024-25 school year, and the program expanded to St. Michaels Middle School the following year.

According to the district, early data and feedback from administrators showed the pilot had a positive impact on student behavior and learning. Schools across the country that have gone phone-free have reported similar results, including less distraction, less cyberbullying, fewer fights, better attendance, and stronger engagement in class.

District leaders acknowledge the change will take some getting used to, especially for high school students. Exceptions may be made for documented medical needs or approved accommodations.

For students who are not in compliance without an approved exception, the district outlined a series of consequences.

• A first offense means the phone is taken to the office and returned to the student at the end of the day.
• A second offense means a parent has to pick up the phone.
• A third offense results in an office referral, again with a parent pickup required.
• A fourth offense leads to an office referral, and the student must turn in their phone to the office every day for the rest of the quarter.
  

The district says this approach lines up with the TCPS Student Code of Conduct. Parents and guardians are encouraged to talk with their students about device expectations and review the Code of Conduct together before the new school year begins.