The Santa Maria Joint Union High School District (SMJUHSD) Board of Education adopted a revised Personal Electronic Device Policy at its June 17 meeting.

The policy titled Off and Away Except Lunch emphasizes the importance of minimizing distractions in the educational environment by requiring students to power down and store away cell phones, smartwatches, and other personal electronic devices, including AI-enabled personal devices, during the instructional day, which includes passing periods.

The only exception to the rule is during the lunch break, providing students with a designated time to check and use their devices.

The new policy takes effect at the start of the 2026-27 school year.

“Our goal is simple — to minimize distractions so we can dedicate our time to what truly counts—academic growth, real-world social connections, and making the absolute most of the high school experience,” said Kenny Klein, SMJUHSD public information officer