Weston School Committee directs draft policy on stricter high school phone ban

WESTON — March 11, 2025 — Weston School Committee signals stricter phone rules and picks new literacy curriculum. Ten parents urged a bell-to-bell ban on cell phones at Weston High School during a 20-minute public comment session, prompting Chair Daina Selvig to direct Member Stephen Dietz and absent Member Jeff Lucas to bring back a revised policy draft before the committee's membership changes after the next town election. "Don't let perfect be the enemy of good," resident Erica Gampfer told the committee, relaying advice from Rep. Alice Peisch. Members coalesced around extending the K-8 ban to smartwatches and tethered devices and tightening high school rules. Separately, the committee unanimously approved its Student Opportunity Act plan update — adding the literacy team's selection of EL Education paired with expanded Fundations phonics from pre-K through grade three — and approved the FY26 operating budget at the cost-center level under policy DBG. The February appeal raised $52,000 against a $40,000 goal from 308 families.