Five public school districts in Worcester County—Douglas, Fitchburg, Harvard, Leominster and North Brookfield—have been named among 17 Massachusetts districts to receive a share of the Attorney General’s Phone‑Free Schools Support Grant. The grants, funded with $500,000 from the AG’s office, total more than $625,000 and will help districts enforce a bell‑to‑bell cellphone policy for up to two years.
State support for a safer learning environment
Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell said the initiative responds to a growing mental‑health crisis among young people, which she attributes in large part to constant cellphone and social‑media use. “During the school day, kids deserve to be able to set those distractions aside and focus on learning and building relationships with their peers,” Campbell explained.
The AG’s office released the list of recipients on Tuesday, Oct. 27. While individual award amounts were not disclosed, the grant formula scales with student enrollment and can top out at $50,000 per district.
How districts will use the funds
Each district’s application was evaluated on its proposed bell‑to‑bell policy, alignment with the AG’s cellphone and social‑media toolkit for schools, and other criteria. The money may be used for staff training, communication materials, technology to monitor compliance, and other resources needed to keep phones out of classrooms.
Northampton Public Schools Superintendent Anna Azarloza, whose district also received a grant, praised the impact of phone‑free policies: “With phones away, we’re seeing scholars look up, lean in, and connect.”
Legislative backdrop
The grants arrive amid ongoing legislative debate over a statewide cellphone ban. In July 2025, the Massachusetts Senate passed a bill 38‑2 requiring every public school district to adopt a bell‑to‑bell cellphone policy. The House approved a companion version 129‑25 in April 2025, adding limits on youth social‑media use, including a ban for children under 14 and parental‑consent requirements for 14‑ and 15‑year‑olds.
However, the Senate rejected the House’s amendments in May, and a conference committee has yet to report a final compromise. No further action has been recorded since the committee’s formation.
Broader efforts to protect youth online
Beyond the phone‑free grant program, Attorney General Campbell introduced the STUDY Act in January 2025, a proposal for a statewide, bell‑to‑bell cellphone ban. In August, she joined other state attorneys general in a $17.1 billion multistate settlement with Meta, which requires design changes to protect young users and provides Massachusetts with up to $516 million.
Campbell’s office also continues a lawsuit against TikTok, alleging the platform is designed to be addictive to young users.
What this means for families
For parents in Worcester County, the grants represent a concrete step toward reducing classroom distractions and supporting mental‑wellness. By funding the implementation of phone‑free policies, districts can create environments where students engage directly with teachers and peers, fostering stronger community ties and academic focus.
District officials encourage families to stay informed about the upcoming policy changes and to support the effort by reinforcing healthy technology habits at home.
Original reporting: This Week in Worcester — read the source article.
