District releases cell phone survey results

Nearly 12,000 students, staff and family members shared their feedback on the district’s cell phone policy in a survey earlier this spring. In general, the community supported limiting cell phone use during the school day, especially for younger students. The district’s policy council will review the findings of this survey and make recommendations for updating the policy later this month. Any changes would be implemented at the start of the 2025-26 school year.

Please note that any ban being considered would allow students to have their phones with them, but would require them to keep them put away and off or on silent mode.

Key takeaways

How disruptive are cell phones to students?

• Approximately 81 percent of survey respondents said that cell phones are somewhat or very disruptive to student learning in the classroom. 
• Approximately 53 percent of respondents said cell phones were disruptive to students during unstructured times such as lunch and passing periods. 
• Approximately 75 percent of respondents said cell phones contribute to bullying or threatening behavior during the school day.

Feedback on limiting cell phone use

• Elementary School
  • Approximately 83 percent of respondents said they were very or somewhat supportive of prohibiting cell phone use for elementary school students during the entire school day. 
  • About 56 percent of respondents said they were very or somewhat supportive of prohibiting cell phone use during class time, but allowing it during non-class time, such as passing periods.
• Middle School
  • Approximately 67 percent of respondents said they were very or somewhat supportive of prohibiting cell phone use for middle school students during the entire school day. 
  • About 63 percent of respondents said they were very or somewhat supportive of prohibiting cell phone use during class time, but allowing it during non-class time, such as passing periods.
• High School
  • Approximately 54 percent of respondents said they were very or somewhat supportive of prohibiting cell phone use for high school students during the entire school day.
  • Approximately 66 percent of respondents said they were very or somewhat supportive of said they were very or somewhat supportive of prohibiting cell phone use during class time, but allowing it during non-class time, such as passing periods. 

Student access to cell phones during the day

• A little more than 60 percent of respondents either somewhat or strongly opposed requiring students to keep their cell phones in locked pouches. 
• About 67 percent of respondents said it was important that students have access to their phones during an emergency. 

What’s next? 

• The district’s Policy Council will meet later this month and review the survey findings and make recommendations on any changes. 
• Any changes will be implemented at the start of the 2025-26 school year.