The Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School committee voted 7-1 Monday to allow the continued development of a new policy preventing nearly all student use of mobile phones during the school day.

Island police are issuing warnings, as a new state law takes effect that strictly prohibits the use of hand-held cell phones while driving.

American Tower Corporation, the company that wants to build a distributed antenna system (DAS) to improve cell phone coverage in the three up-Island towns, formally submitted revised plans to Chilmark last week that include a letter from the wireless carrier T-Mobile expressing interest in leasing space on the new system.

Let the texting begin.

The high school is relaxing a ban on cell phone use next year, allowing students to use their mobile phones in limited times during the school day.

The regional high school committee Monday voted unanimously in favor of a new pilot policy that allows for students to use cell phones and iPods “within reasonable limits” during passing periods and at lunch time, and during class and at the library at the teacher’s discretion.