Phone-Free Grants Go to Two Local Schools

Two Cumberland County school districts recently received Phone-Free-Schools grants from The New Jersey Department of Education (NJDOE). Cumberland Regional and Deerfield Township were among the 86 districts that got grants. Cumberland received $9,950 and Deerfield $1,000.

The funds will support school districts in implementing a bell-to-bell policy for all students in grades 6-12, consistent with state guidelines. A bell-to-bell policy must ensure that students’ cell phones and other personal internet-enabled devices are securely stored when students arrive at school, and access is not allowed during the entire school day. Participating districts will receive funds to implement secure storage systems such as lockers, locked pouch systems, or check-in cabinets. Districts may also use funding to provide staff training to ensure consistent and equitable application of the bell-to-bell policies. 

The grants are funded through a $3 million appropriation in the Fiscal Year 2026 Appropriations Act. Approximately $980,000 has been allocated in this round, and the NJDOE intends to launch another funding round to expand to additional districts.