Proposed cell phone policy seemingly a pretty good start

The Minnesota Legislature has effectively done what school boards across the state have seemingly been unwilling to do – require students put their cell phones on hold during class time.

Monday, Feb. 10, the New Prague School Board discussed a proposed policy requiring students not be allowed to use their phone during class time. The proposed policy will be considered during the spring and likely included in the student handbook for the 2025-2026 school year. The proposed policy is a reasonable start at governing an issue that unfortunately has become a problem.

The legislature directed school districts to create policies dealing with cell phone use during the school day. Districts have no control of how students use their phones after the academic day ends.

“It is important to reduce distractions, improve academic focus, and promote positive social interactions for our students,” according to a PowerPoint presentation NPHS principal Brian Thorstad and middle school principal Brad Gregor offered to the board. “As a district, we also need to continually address concerns about student mental health, cyberbullying and academic integrity.”

While nobody is suggesting there have no been violations, the issue is primarily directed at middle and high school students. Elementary schools have not allowed personal electronic devices to be used during school hours, including lunch and recess.

The middle school has not allowed personal electronic devices to be used during school hours, including lunch and passing times for the past 20 years. The high school has required personal electronic devices to be turned off and concealed during instructional times unless authorized by the classroom teacher for an instructional purpose.

The proposed policy states students may not use cell phones during instructional time unless permission has been granted for an instructional purpose by the classroom teacher. Cell phones, electronic devices and earbuds / AirPods will remain in student backpacks, lockers or a designated classroom location during instructional time. School staff may require students to place electronic devices in a designated area in each classroom as determined by the instructor. Smartwatches must have notifications turned off and communication features disabled.

At the middle school, students may not use cell phones during instructional time unless permission has been granted for an instructional purpose by the classroom teacher. Cell phones, electronic devices and earbuds / AirPods will remain in student backpacks/lockers or in a pocket where they are supposed to be out of sight, out of sound after the school day begins. Students may use their cell phone, Smartwatches and earbuds / AirPods before/ after school, as permitted by the instructor during a class activity or in the office.

The consequences for violations at the high school include the student placing the phone in a designated area within the classroom until the end of the class period for a first violation. Students will pick up devices at the end of the school day from the NPHS Main Office. For a repeat offender, a parent/guardian must pick up the device and additional consequences may be assigned. The third violation will require students check the device into the office for an extended period. Parents will pick up devices at the end of the day from the NPHS Main Office. Additional consequences may be assigned. In the event of a fourth violation, an electronic device contract will be created with the student and parent/guardian. NPHS reserves the right to limit access to electronic devices in an effort to support student learning.

Sadly, the issue and the policy designed to address it has turned teachers into cell phone cops. Imagine the teaching time lost to a student unwilling to surrender possession of a device. Given the mental anguish some students are inflicting upon each other via social media, an argument could be made the consequences are far too lenient. The issue is one extending well beyond the campus boundaries and the classroom schedule. It is up to parents to make sure children are not using the devices inappropriately, but too many parents want schools to raise their children – until the schools teach their child to learn or an infraction a parent believes should not be worthy of consequences.

Years ago, talk show host Dick Cavett said each great invention has both infinite good and bad associated with it. At the time, he referenced gunpowder as an example. The cell phone is the latest example on a list which will likely never end.

Parents may push back, claiming they need to talk to their child during the day. They can call the school office and leave a message or text the child, who can call back during passing time.

The proposed policy will undergo additional review before it comes back to the school board. Hopefully, it will not be watered-down. This new set of rules is needed.

School districts and state lawmakers aren’t doing this because they have so little to do.