Maple Grove Middle School Principal Patrick Smith is among educators who believe cell phones are a distraction to learning in their schools.
“Any issues we had with conflict, whether it was physical or verbal … we found to be 100% due to cell phones. It just created a very toxic culture,” he told the House Education Policy Committee Tuesday.
Smith testified in support of HF4581, a that bill would request the Minnesota School Boards Association to develop a model policy on students’ possession and use of cell phones in school by Dec. 15, 2024. It would also require school boards to adopt a policy — not necessarily the created model policy — on students’ possession and use of cell phones in school by March 15, 2025.
The bill was held over for future consideration.
“The more we understand about cell phones in schools, the more it is clear that we need to be proactive, collaborative and thoughtful in how and when their use is permitted,” said Rep. Sandra Feist (DFL-New Brighton), the bill sponsor.
Here’s the long description…
A bill for an act
relating to education; requesting the Minnesota School Boards Association to
develop a model policy for cell phones in schools; proposing coding for new law
in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 121A.BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:
Section 1.
[121A.73] SCHOOL CELL PHONE POLICY.
Subdivision 1.
Model policy.
The Minnesota School Boards Association is requested
to develop a model policy on students’ possession and use of cell phones in school by
December 15, 2024. In developing the policy, the Minnesota School Boards Association
must solicit input from administrators, parents, teachers and other school staff, students,
law enforcement agencies, and other stakeholders.Subd. 2.
District policy.
The board of a school district or charter school must adopt a
policy on students’ possession and use of cell phones in school by March 15, 2025. A board
may adopt the Minnesota School Boards Association policy. The policy must be included
in the student handbook on school policies, and posted on the district or charter school
website.EFFECTIVE DATE.
This section is effective the day following final enactment.