Gunn High School students walked into classrooms Friday, Aug. 21, and dropped their smartphones into designated holders before instruction began, marking the first enforcement of California's Phone-Free School Act on campus.

The state law, Assembly Bill 3216, signed by Gov. Gavin Newsom in September 2024, required every public school district to adopt a phone-restriction policy by July 1, 2026. At Gunn, that means students must store smartphones and smartwatches used for communication in a holder during class. They can still use devices during passing periods, mid-morning break and lunch.

Interim principal Erik Olah said exceptions will be made for students with medical needs or unique circumstances.

The new requirement adds a physical enforcement step to PAUSD's mobile device policy, approved in November 2025, which already stated that devices must be turned off during class, according to the PA Daily Post. Gunn board representative Enzo Wolff de Tourreil, a junior who spoke at a 2025 board meeting in favor of the most minimal version of phone restrictions, said the change is modest in practice.

"There may be stricter phone policies during classes," Wolff de Tourreil told The Gunn Oracle. "But I really don't think that we're going to see a lot of major changes from this district policy."

The board delayed consideration of a stricter all-day smartphone ban until 2028.

A separate pilot program launching this year will ban personal laptops in certain classrooms, with some teachers running Chromebook-only sections.

New principal, new team

Olah stepped into the interim principal role after former principal Dr. Wendy Stratton moved to the district office as director of secondary education. Palo Alto Online reported the transition in May 2026. Two new assistant principals, Ryan Lundell and Janeen Malatesta, and administrative teacher on special assignment Latrice Bennett round out Gunn's revamped site leadership team.

Olah told The Gunn Oracle his focus is on belonging, saying his role is to help foster opportunities, guide students toward their passions and be present as those experiences unfold. He plans to host periodic "Principal's Coffees" for parents, participate in Titan Town Halls with students and launch a monthly student advisory group.

The phone holders, new leadership and laptop pilot are part of a broader set of changes at PAUSD this year. The board listed finalizing device-usage policies, student mental health and district finances as its three stated goals for 2026-27. The next formal decision point on whether to pursue an all-day phone ban is 2028.