Lehighton Area School District is exploring uniform cellphone restrictions across grade levels after administration reported broad support Tuesday among teachers for a clearer and more enforceable policy during instructional time.

Teachers, according to administrators, are looking for structure in any guidelines established by the board.

“Teachers understand the expectations, but they also understand there are ramifications,” Superintendent Jason Moser told the board. “As a teacher, if you’re allowing students to openly break the rule, teachers will have to be held accountable and administrators will have to be held accountable for upholding whatever the policy is, honestly.”

The district noted that high school staff would “overwhelmingly support” restrictions that apply uniformly rather than from classroom to classroom.

One option under consideration is giving each student a signal-blocking pouch in which phones would go during instructional time. The pouches, described during the meeting as “basically a Faraday bag,” allow students to keep their phones physically but prevent them from sending or receiving signals until the bag is opened.

Concerns about student learning and well-being were central to Tuesday’s board workshop discussion.

“There is literature out there demonstrating improved student outcomes, not only academically, but in mental health,” Moser said. “There is also a significant reduction of reported bullying.”

Those comments prompted board members to highlight the need for consistent expectations throughout the high school. Differences between classrooms, some directors said, has likely created uncertainty for students and staff.

“Consistency is important,” director Denise Hartley said. “If the policy is the same in every classroom, it’s easier to enforce and students — especially those with anxiety — know exactly what’s expected.”

Uniform rules, some argued, may help students who struggle when each teacher handles cellphones differently.

“Open-ended guidelines make it harder to find out if the policy is effective,” and also make the school day less predictable, Hartley said.

Cost also entered the debate. The district learned that one of the Faraday-style bags sells online for $49.90 each.

Gretchen Laviolette, director of academic programs and technology, noted that some schools use a different product known as a Yondr bag, estimating the price at “about $25 or $30 per student.” That version locks but still allows parents to track the phone’s location.

Questions arose, too, about the development level of younger students. Lehighton parent Autumn Abelovsky argued that strict containment might not be the most effective approach for elementary-age children.

“When you teach a child not to steal, you don’t put handcuffs on,” she said. “We should be teaching kids to be young adults and teaching accountability for their actions.”

Board President Alex Matika said the topic remains open and the board intends to continue its research.

“We should keep the conversation going with all voices in this conversation,” he said.