Lakeview School District Cell Phone Policy (2026)

Lakeview School District in Mercer County enrolled 802 students in 2024-25 according to federal data. It built its ban one grade band at a time.

Lakeview phone rules today

The Record-Argus reported on July 25, 2026 that Superintendent Keith Wolfe explained the ban began as a middle school pilot, expanded to 9th and then 10th grade, and now covers juniors and seniors under the 2026-27 handbook. The July 2026 code of conduct says "the district prohibits the use of personal electronic devices during school for students in grades K-12." Grades 6-8 place devices in a designated locker that stays locked all day; grades 9-12 keep them off and out of sight, with lockers recommended. Exceptions are case by case under Policy 237.

The board debate

Board member Jamie Galentine cast the one no vote, citing instruction, emergencies, rides and the chance to teach self-regulation: "I feel like we're missing an opportunity to teach them something that can improve their lives." Mike Rotz said, "When we take the phone away, we're forcing them to talk to their friends sitting right next to them." Dan Savolskis said, "Anyone who says it's not having an effect isn't paying attention." President Jason Powers said, "We have a responsibility to ensure we're creating an environment that fosters education." Adam Saeler asked the board to treat it as a one-year ban and review what works.

What Act 117 requires of Lakeview by 2027-28

Gov. Josh Shapiro approved SB 1014 on October 26, 2026. It is Act 117 of 2026, and it took effect that day. The text is Printer's No. 1697 on palegis.us. Every school entity must adopt a bell-to-bell policy by the start of the 2027-28 school year.

Act 117 requires	Lakeview today	What changes by 2027-28
No student use for the whole school day, including homeroom, lunch, recess and passing time	K-12 no use during school (2026-27)	Aligned; confirm lunch and passing time for grades 9-12.
The board decides how possession is restricted (taking phones is not required)	Locked lockers (6-8); off and out of sight (9-12)	Aligned: Act 117 lets boards decide possession.
Required exceptions: documented medical need of the student or an immediate family member, IEP or 504, English learner translation, limited teacher-approved instructional use	Case by case under Policy 237	Name medical (student or family), IEP/504 and English learner translation.
Optional: a principal may approve another exception for up to one school day, with notice to the superintendent within 5 days after	Principal-approved areas	Teacher use must meet Act 117's three conditions; other exceptions capped at one day.
Written notice each year and on enrollment: a staffed way to reach your child, and how to sign up for emergency notifications	Parents contact the front office	Written notice each year and on enrollment of a staffed contact method and emergency sign-up.
Tell families, teachers and students about the policy each year; verify to PDE within 5 business days that it is posted online	Policy 237; handbook (July 2026)	Board policy posted, announced each year and verified to PDE.

Where LockedIn fits

Lakeview's board plans to review the ban after a year. LockedIn locks students' own phones from an admin dashboard with nothing to collect, so late arrivals don't need a locker unlocked and the rule can change by grade from one screen.

Act 117 has no general student emergency-use exception. The closest tool is the optional principal exception, which is capped at one school day and reported to the superintendent within five days afterward. LockedIn's Emergency Mode unlocks every phone on campus at once, so districts should have counsel review how that fits their emergency procedures and Act 117's exception rules.

Private and independent schools in Stoneboro

Act 117's definition of "school entity" includes private schools, approved private schools and nonpublic schools, so Stoneboro's private, independent and parochial schools need their own bell-to-bell policy by 2027-28. For those schools, the governing body plays the role the superintendent plays in a district, including receiving notice of any principal-approved exception.

Draft a policy that tracks Act 117's required exceptions and family notices with our policy generator.