The state’s largest school district, Denver Public Schools just announced a bell-to-bell ban for cellphones and other wireless devices.

Three progressive superintendents defended their policies for parental involvement and transgender inclusion during a congressional hearing Wednesday in which Republican lawmakers called them “pathetic” and said they should find other jobs.

Critics of a takeover say it could open the way for policy changes not necessarily aligned with the wishes of voters—but proponents argue that it could free the district to pursue reforms free of the pressures of local politics.