Northeast Bradford School District Cell Phone Policy (2026)

Northeast Bradford School District in Bradford County enrolled 643 students in 2024-25 according to federal data. It added phone rules to its 2026-27 high school handbook.

Northeast Bradford phone rules today

The Daily Review reported on August 12, 2026 that, in approving the high school handbook, the board discussed enforcing a state rule on student phones and how to get the word out. Superintendent David Zula said the rule prohibits students from using or having their phones out during the school day. "We have to enforce it from day one," he said, "and that will be a big opening-day speech." He also said staff need to set the example on phones.

Timing

The story describes a "new state law." At the time, Act 117 had not been signed; its required policy is due by the start of 2027-28.

What Act 117 requires of Northeast Bradford 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	Northeast Bradford today	What changes by 2027-28
No student use for the whole school day, including homeroom, lunch, recess and passing time	No use or phones out during the school day	Aligned with the whole-day rule.
The board decides how possession is restricted (taking phones is not required)	Not stated	State the possession method.
Required exceptions: documented medical need of the student or an immediate family member, IEP or 504, English learner translation, limited teacher-approved instructional use	Not stated	Add medical, 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	Not stated	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	Not stated	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	High school handbook (Aug. 2026)	Board policy posted, announced each year and verified to PDE.

Where LockedIn fits

Northeast Bradford's superintendent wants the rule enforced from the first day. LockedIn locks students' own phones from an admin dashboard with nothing to collect, so day-one enforcement doesn't depend on staff spotting phones.

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 Rome

Act 117's definition of "school entity" includes private schools, approved private schools and nonpublic schools, so Rome'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.