Dear Hooksett School District Families:

I hope you are enjoying the summer break. I am writing to share a change for students and families because of the newly adopted state law, HB2, effective July 1, 2025 regarding personal communication devices.

New Hampshire has enacted HB2, which mandates that all public schools adopt a “bell-to-bell” prohibition on unauthorized use of personal communication devices (i.e. cell phones, smartwatches, tablets, and similar gadgets) during the school day.

At their meeting on August 19, 2025, the Hooksett School Board adopted Policy JICJ, which addresses the prohibition, and will be in effect in the Hooksett Schools on September 2, the first day of school.

During the school day, from the first bell indicating the start of instructional time, until the dismissal bell to end the academic school day, students shall not use personal communication devices that include, but are not limited to cell phone, smartwatches, tablets, personal laptops and any other non­district-provided internet or cellular-capable device.

These devices are prohibited from use and must be stored in a location designated by the school. This rule applies to all parts of the school day, including class time, lunchtime, recess, passing periods.

There are limited, supported exceptions in the law that the District will work with students and families to consider, including:

• Students with medical devices (e.g., glucose monitors or insulin pumps)
• Students with IEPs or 504 Plans requiring the use of personal devices to access their education
• Multilingual learners with documented language access supports

Thank you for your continued support of our schools.

Sincerely,

William J Rearick
Superintendent of Schools