Pine City School Board continues discussion about bell-to-bell cell phone policy

The Pine City School Board continued discussions about a bell-to-bell cell phone policy expected to be implemented for the 2025-2026 school year at Monday's meeting.

According to the agenda, students will no longer have access to cell phones, smartwatches, and earbuds during the school day from "bell to bell" under the policy.

The draft of the policy states that the purpose for regulation is to ensure that mobile devices do not disrupt or interfere with school operations and the educational process, impair the safety, welfare, and privacy of students and staff, or are used for academic dishonesty.

A third reading of the policy was approved as part of the consent agenda.

Board member Becci Palmblade said the district's policy committee has asked building administration to put together a cell phone procedure for each school to roll out in tandem with the policy.

"We are continuing to go ahead with the cell phone policy of no cell phones," Palmblade explained. "The number one option would be to leave your cell phone at home or in your car, but of course people have to have them for after school or what have you. So just putting a procedure together so that the policy and the procedure can roll out together, and it lessens the anxiety for parents, students, and staff."

The policy committee is also working to establish procedures for activities.

Board chair James Foster said aligning the cell phone policy and procedures will help keep the rollout process smooth.

"We don't want it to be a guessing game," Foster said. "We don't want to look, or be, unorganized in any way when we roll it out."

Palmblade added that implementing the policy will likely require adjustments.

"It's going to be an adjustment," Palmblade said. "There's going to be some work to do in the beginning, and work out those kinks, but it will benefit by far with interaction and less disruptions. Teachers are wanting this for less distraction, no more camera phones in the bathrooms or the locker rooms. If you think about all the little things that add up, it will be a major benefit. It's going to be rocky in the beginning for people to adjust to it. But we're going to be okay."

According to Monday's school board agenda, research indicates that mobile devices can disrupt academic focus, reduce opportunities for social interaction, and cause heightened stress and anxiety.

"The benefits will outweigh the risks, there's just so much proof to it," Palmblade said.