Governor Gianforte Calls For Cell Phone-Free Schools

At the end of August, Governor Gianforte asked Montana superintendents and school board trustees to adopt policies to limit learning distractions in the classroom and improve student academic performance by establishing cell phone-free schools.

In the letter the Governor wrote “...we should seek to remove distractions and disruptions in our schools, a place where students should be focused on learning. Unfortunately, cell phones distract students and disrupt the learning environment, and according to studies, it leads to learning loss and lower grades.”

The letter also urged school districts to consider adopting policies that create cell phone-free schools as schools across the country, and even in Montana, have already taken the step to do so. As a result of these changes, students can learn and teachers can teach without the distractions of cell phones.

In his letter, the Governor also indicated that studies and data points to the urgent need for school districts to act. “Since the advent of smartphones about 20 years ago, students’ use of these devices, including in schools, has increased. As of 2021, nearly nine out of 10 teenagers and 43 percent of eight to 12 year olds own a smartphone. Ninety-seven percent of 11 to 17 year olds use their cell phone during school, including to text, access social media, play games and watch videos. They receive an average of more than 50 notifications per day on their phones during school hours.”

During a Policy Committee meeting on Aug. 22, Glasgow Schools superintendent Brenner Flaten and the two school board trustees on the committee, Stan Ozark and Derek Beadle, discussed the letter and the current language that is present in all three of the school’s handbooks regarding cell phone usage at the schools.

Three different policy options were presented and on Aug. 23, the Montana School Board Association (MTSBA) visited directly with the Governor’s office and indicated that the second option presented closely reflects the Governor’s suggestions in his letter.

The Glasgow School’s policy will also closely reflect this option, with minimal variation specific to the three Glasgow Schools. The new policy will move through two readings at the board level before becoming official school policy later this fall.

The policy as stated is:

“Student possession and use of cellular phones, pagers, and other electronic signaling devices on school grounds, at school-sponsored activities, and while under the supervision and control of District employees is a privilege which will be permitted only under the circumstances described herein. At no time will any student operate a cell phone or other electronic device with video capabilities in a locker room, bathroom, or other location where such operation may violate the privacy right of another person.”

“Students may use cellular phones, pagers and other electronic signaling devices on campus before school begins and after school ends. Students in grades nine through 12 may also use such devices during the lunch period. These devices must be kept out of sight and turned off during the instructional day. Unauthorized use of such devices disrupts the instructional program and distracts from the learning environment, including classroom teachers. Confiscated devices will be returned to the parent or guardian. Repeated unauthorized use of such devices will result in disciplinary action.”

Nashua’s superintendent Susan Hoyer released a letter to parents on Aug. 22, stating cell phones are to be stored in lockers during class time, except for before and after school and during lunch. According to the Board Policy Manual on the school’s website, the school also follows the policy approved by MTSBA above.

The Glasgow Courier reached out to Hinsdale, Frazer, Opheim and Lustre schools but did not get their cell phone policies prior to publication.