Skip To Main Content

Cell Phones

This year, the School Board will engage the school district community to help inform the creation of a student cell phone use policy. 

What are our current practices?

Download the following graphic that illustrates our current practices compared with best practice recommendations provided by two state principal organizations. 

Legislation passed during the 2024 Minnesota State Legislative session

A school district or charter school must adopt a policy on students’ possession and use of cell phones in school by March 15, 2025. -- Minn. Stat. § 121A.73  

Cell phone advisory group

In response to this new legislation, the School Board has charged administration to establish a cell phone advisory group of parents, students and staff.  The purpose of this group is to work collaboratively with administration to develop recommendations for cell phone use by educational level (Elementary, Middle School, High School).  These recommendations will be provided to the School Board so they can use them as they develop a cell phone policy in compliance with the new legislation.

Community feedback   

In addition to the advisory group, the District sought community feedback from parent, student and staff groups. See results from surveys and community conversations here. 

Recommendations for student use 

During the last legislative session, the Minnesota Legislature directed all school districts to adopt a cell phone policy by March 15, 2025. In response, the School Board asked the community to provide feedback regarding student use of cell phones in schools. About 3,000 respondents completed a survey, and two community conversations attracted about 200 attendees. A summary of the responses is provided here.

This feedback was shared with a cell phone advisory committee made up of parents, students and staff for their review. The group met three times this fall, and identified themes found in the responses and provided the following recommendations to the School Board at its December 10 meeting: 

  • Elementary students should not access or use cell phones during school hours.

  • Middle school and high school students should not access or use cell phones during scheduled academic class time or during activities/assemblies when instruction or information is being delivered. Students may access and use cell phones during non-academic or unscheduled time.

  • The committee also advises the Board to charge administration to establish Regulations to accompany the Cell Phone Policy. These Regulations should outline the rules and procedures to be implemented at each educational level, school or program, addressing the daily practices and enforcement related to student access and use of cell phones. 

  • These rules and procedures related to the cell phone policy should be included in student handbooks or similar documents at all District schools and programs.