The district has outlined new personal-device rules as it also works through staffing needs, building projects, and policy changes.
Aug 12, 2026
The Bar Harbor Story is generously sponsored by the Bar Harbor Music Festival.
MOUNT DESERT ISLAND—The Mount Desert Island High School sent out an email, August 11, detailing aspects of how students can use their cell phone and other personal electronic devices with internet or cellular network capabilities this upcoming school year.
Students will not be able to bring their phones with them to classes throughout the school day, but must store turned off phones in their advisory rooms by 8:55 a.m. or the main office. They can get the electronics back at dismissal. Students also can’t wear headphones or ear buds during the school day. Watches can not be used in their smart watch capacities, but only to tell time.
Students violating the bell-to-bell policy will be disciplined in ways that escalate with multiple infractions.
The AOS-91 policy also applies to students in kindergarten through eighth grade. The policy for the district was approved in March and revised in June.
The policy aligns with the state’s new Bell-to-Bell law, 20-A MRSA § 1001 (23)(A).
Governor Janet Mills signed the law stipulating the statewide changes in May. Some students who have individualized education programs (IEPs), Section 504 accommodations, translation needs, and health plans can be exempted from the ban.
“Teachers and students both want to move away from distracting devices and back towards moments spent learning with each other—that’s why I was proud to propose this ‘Bell to Bell, No Cell’ ban and sign it into law,” Governor Mills said in a press release. “Students socializing together instead of endlessly scrolling alone, building a strong community instead of basing their self-esteem on social media, spending time on learning, not struggling to let go of an addictive phone—that’s what getting cell phones out of our classrooms will do.”
Opponents say the state law prohibiting most bell-to-bell use cuts away local control of school policy, that it will be hard to enforce, and that it chips away at students’ individual freedoms, making it harder to communicate with parents or other caregivers about needs, emergencies, or changes throughout the day.
In an article by Olina Banerji for Education Week, Principal Matt Haney spoke to the differences in the 2025-2026 school year when the policy had been previously changed to students leaving their phones in slotted bins at each class rather than just tucking them away on their person, bags, or in desks.
“Just physically having a separation from the tangible device has made a big difference this year,” said Haney told Banerji.
A nationwide teacher survey “found that policies that require students to store their phones in pouches or lockers—rather than in their pockets or backpacks—are linked to more focused classrooms,” Banerji wrote.
In the video sent out August 11, Haney explained that the school has built in time at the end of the day so that students can retrieve their electronics, which will be in a locked case throughout the day. There will be back-up keys for all cases.
The phones can be used on buses, but bus drivers will set the expectations about use on buses, Haney said in the video. After school advisors will also set their own expectations about use.
AOS 91 MEETING
As the school year is about to begin, the AOS 91 Board sorted through policy work and heard reports from both the school superintendent and the directors of learning and teaching, August 10, including a quick rundown of enrollment.
According to Superintendent Mike Zboray’s superintendent report, the expected enrollment for all the schools in the upcoming year is 1,323. Those numbers are as of June 2026.
Last week at a Bar Harbor School Board meeting, Principal Dr. Heather Weir Webster said she expects the Conners Emerson Schools’ numbers to change. This is common for all schools during the summer. Some students move in or out of areas. Some enter or exit homeschooling.
The board also discussed getting the word out about Parent University, a series of monthly events throughout the school year.
According to its website, “At AOS 91, we believe preparing young people to thrive in a rapidly changing world is a shared responsibility. Our Vision of Our Graduates reflects the qualities and skills we hope to nurture in every learner. Bringing that vision to life takes partnership among students, families, educators, and our community.
“Parent University strengthens that partnership by connecting families with practical tools, timely information, and opportunities to learn alongside district educators and community experts.”
STAFFING
The biggest needs in the district are for speech pathologists and special educators, according to Zboray. Some services may have to be done online.
“Our needs keep changing. Bus drivers are still a big need,” Zboray said, but there are enough to get started for the school year.
BUILDING UPDATES
Swan’s Island is trying to raise funds for a new playground, but its new boiler went in “without a hitch,” Zboray said.
The Longfellow School received a grant for a stove and small fridge.
Mount Desert Island High School’s new track is on schedule while work on a loading dock and propane tank pad are almost done. Electric busses, according to the report have been working all summer. Pemetic’s electric bus is performing similarly.
Conners Emerson School in Bar Harbor’s new build is still expected to be done on November 9.
Mount Desert Elementary’s building renovations, Zboray reported have “been slow but progressing.”
The roof at the school is finished. The deck and new door to the playground are in process. The board expects to begin with doors and windows this year.
Tremont’s school had room changes inside the main building, which has created a new office space for its principal and according to Zboray’s report “a more functional SPED space for students.”
POLICIES
Multiple policies went before the board during its August 10 meeting.
Discussion items (first reading of policies) included:
- BBA – School Board Powers and Responsibilities
- BBAB – School Board Self-Evaluation
- BDD – Board-Superintendent Relationship
Zboray led the board members through ethics scenarios related to their duties.
The first reading of revisions to policies included:
- KI – Visitors to the Schools
- KI – Visitors to the Schools
- KI-R – Visitors to Schools Administrative Procedures
Questions by board members included the time changes for notices for the visitors to school policy.
The Temperature Standards for Schools policy was adopted. The revisions to a policy called – Public Comment at School Board Meetings was discussed and adopted.
The board also held the first and final reading of revisions to:
- JLF – Child Abuse Reporting, Prevention and Education
- JLF-E – Suspected Child Abuse/Neglect Report Form
As part of that work, it deleted the following policy:
CALENDARS
LINKS TO LEARN MORE
- Video explaining personal electronics law implementation
- Graphic explaining personal electronics plan
- MDIRSS Policy Policy JICJ – Cell phones and other personal electronic devices in schools
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