Massachusetts grant opens new funding for school phone storage systems

By AI, Created 4:33 PM UTC, May 18, 2026, /AGP/ – Massachusetts districts can now use a new state grant to pay for storage solutions needed for bell-to-bell phone bans in public schools, charter schools and educational collaboratives. The program could speed adoption of phone-free classrooms by removing the upfront cost barrier identified in the state’s own toolkit.

Why it matters: - Massachusetts schools now have a direct funding path to buy the storage hardware needed to enforce bell-to-bell phone policies. - The grant could make phone-free classrooms easier to adopt by covering the upfront cost districts have cited as the biggest obstacle. - The program may help schools reduce classroom distraction, improve student attention and limit cyberbullying.

What happened: - The Massachusetts Office of Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell announced the Phone Free Schools Support Grant. - The grant pays for storage solutions required for bell-to-bell phone policies in public schools, charter schools and educational collaboratives. - Applications are open through June 5, 2026. - Districts must submit applications electronically by 5:00 PM on June 5, 2026 through the AGO’s Online Grants Portal. - NuGerm, maker of the NuKase lockable phone case for K-12 schools, said Massachusetts districts can put grant dollars to immediate use.

The details: - The grant builds on the AGO’s Cell Phones and Social Media in Schools toolkit, published in January 2025. - Boston University researchers, the Center for Digital Thriving and superintendents from Holyoke, Brockton and Pioneer Valley contributed to the toolkit. - The toolkit identifies the upfront cost of physical storage systems as the primary barrier to bell-to-bell adoption. - Pew Research data cited in the toolkit shows 72% of high school teachers view cell phone use as a major classroom problem. - Superintendents in Massachusetts who have already adopted phone storage systems report better student attention, stronger peer relationships and fewer cyberbullying incidents. - The toolkit recommends keeping teachers out of enforcement roles. - NuKase is designed so students secure devices at arrival and retrieve them at dismissal without teacher involvement in collection or enforcement. - NuKase is deployed across 45+ districts and 150,000+ units nationwide. - NuGerm backs each NuKase with a 3-year warranty and no recurring fees. - NuKase does not require annual replacement fees or depend on the grant being renewed. - NuKase includes NuKey, a controlled-access solution for students with approved device access under IEP, 504 or medical accommodation plans. - The company says implementation support includes staff training, student tracking systems and pre-built parent communication templates. - Eligible Massachusetts districts can request a free sample on NuGerm’s website before applying for the grant.

Between the lines: - The grant appears aimed at turning policy guidance into purchase power, which could accelerate adoption across districts that already want phone-free classrooms. - By emphasizing storage rather than teacher enforcement, the state is signaling a preference for systems that reduce conflict in classrooms. - NuGerm is positioning NuKase as a ready-made solution for districts that need to move quickly and fit within a grant-funded budget.

What’s next: - Massachusetts districts that want to participate will need to evaluate storage options quickly before the June 5 deadline. - Schools interested in NuKase can request a free sample before submitting grant applications. - The grant may serve as a test case for whether state funding can speed broader adoption of bell-to-bell phone policies.

The bottom line: - Massachusetts is paying for the hardware schools need to make phone-free classrooms real, not just recommended.