Denville’s new superintendent used her first back to school letter to spell out exactly how the district will handle student cell phones when classes resume Tuesday, Sept. 8, 2026.
Dr. Sandra L. Cullis took over as Superintendent of Denville Township Schools on July 1 and posted the letter to the district website on Sept. 4. She is entering her 14th year in Denville after 13 years as assistant superintendent.
“This year is especially meaningful to me as I begin my first year as Superintendent of Denville Township Schools,” Cullis wrote, saying she is “incredibly grateful for the opportunity to continue serving a community that has become such an important part of my own story.”
Most of the letter deals with devices. New Jersey districts are required to adopt bell to bell limits on non-academic use of personal internet-enabled devices beginning with the 2026-2027 school year under P.L. 2025, c. 195. Cullis wrote that Denville’s Board Policy 5516 has barred cell phones, smartwatches, earbuds and tablets during the school day for several years, and that recent revisions are meant to align the district with the new state requirement and make the expectations unmistakably clear.
Under the updated rules, Valleyview Middle School students must keep devices secured in their lockers, and Riverview and Lakeview elementary students must keep devices turned off and stored in their backpacks. A student caught using a device will be told to put it away. A second violation means the device is confiscated and returned only to a parent or guardian.
The letter also states that recording devices are strictly prohibited in bathrooms and locker rooms, and that violations will bring immediate disciplinary action and notification to law enforcement.
The full letter is posted on the Denville Township School District website.
Photo credit: Denville Township School District
