Iowa City School Board expected to finalize new cell phone policy in October

New limits on cell phone use at Iowa City schools are in the works, though a final decision may not come until October.

In the Iowa City Community School Board's final meeting before the start of the 2024-2-25 school year, directors discussed the use of cell phones and other electronic devices during the school day. The work session was an extension of discussions that began in the Iowa Legislature in January.

At least one Iowa district has considered broad limitations on cell phone use.

ICCSD Superintendent Matt Degner on Tuesday said the board discussed the negative effects of heavy cell phone use, which are detailed in the first part of the 2024 book, "The Anxious Generation: How the Great Rewiring of Childhood Is Causing an Epidemic of Mental Illness."

A survey will soon be available to parents, students, and district staff. The survey will ask specific questions and allow for "narrative" free-response comments from each group.

Current policy varies by building, school

A thorough Press-Citizen review of elementary, middle school and high school student handbooks at various ICCSD schools shows sometimes broad variance in cell phone use depending on the school.

The most common language used allows students to use their phones periodically throughout the day.

"Students may use cell phones during passing time, at lunch, and in study hall while school is in session," the policy reads. "All phones must be put away, and ringers silenced before entering the classroom. Phones in use or view during class time may be confiscated by staff."

Three of the four district high schools (Iowa City High, Iowa City West and Iowa City Liberty) use identical or very similar policies to the one listed above. The fourth, Tate High, "has adopted a no electronics policy" in its 2024-25 student handbook, which forbids use during school hours. If phones are "seen, heard or in use," students are expected to store them in provided electronics lockers.

All three middle schools (North Central, Northwest and Southeast) also use the above boilerplate language. The singular elementary handbook provides room for broader restrictions, permitting use of all technology, including cell phones, only "when permission is given and under direct supervision of a school staff member."

Punishments vary from one school to the next. It should be noted that some versions of the student handbook published online as of Aug. 14 cover the 2024-25 academic year and others were for the previous year.

Faculty allowed to use cell phones

Per school policy, faculty are allowed to use cell phones throughout the day to "provide for the effective and efficient operation of the school district and to help ensure safety and security of people and property while on school district property or engaged in school-sponsored activities." Teachers are also allowed to use their personal cell phones if it does not disrupt the school day.

Bus drivers are prohibited from using cell phones while operating a vehicle.

Employees who violate the policy will be "subject to discipline, up to and including discharge." The district website said the superintendent or a designated employee is tasked with developing "administrative regulations regarding this policy."

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Learning from professional research

In "The Anxious Generation: How the Great Rewiring of Childhood Is Causing an Epidemic of Mental Illness," social psychologist Jonathan Haidt explores the damaging nature of a "cell phone-based life" and proposes four solutions that parents and teachers, among others, can take to minimize these side effects, according to an online listing.

Degner said local discussion has centered around some of the positives and negatives of Haidt's findings.

"We also talked about how this looks in our schools and some of the frustrations that we've had and limited success and trying to do any type of regulation of phones and some of the struggles with that," Degner said.

More discussion will take place during the board's work sessions, which Degner encouraged the community to watch online. The recordings are typically posted to the school board's website and YouTube channel within a few days.

The board will discuss cell phones again at its next meeting on Aug. 27. The work session typically begins at 5 p.m., one hour before the formal meeting at 6 p.m.

A final decision on cell phone regulations is expected by October, Degner said.

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Ankeny School District discussed stricter restrictions in July

The board's discussions are the latest in a nationwide effort by school boards to crack down on phone usage in schools. On Tuesday, California Gov. Gavin Newsom "called on every school district to restrict smartphone use in classrooms as the new academic year begins," a release from his office said.

A June 2024 Pew Research study reported that 72% of high school teachers and 33% of middle school teachers say cell phone use is a "major problem" in their classrooms. In the study, more than 85% of teachers surveyed said their district has restrictions on the book, but 30% of those said the enforcement of those restrictions is "difficult."

The Ankeny Community School District began considering restrictions in late July, citing statistics that show test scores and student wellness would trend upward if more restrictions were imposed.

In Ankeny's policy draft, students would be required to turn off all cell phones during the entirety of the school day, including during lunch and passing periods, unless directed by an instructor or school leader. Restrictions would also apply to the use of smartwatches and wireless headphones.

Cell phone use will also be forbidden on the bus ride to and from school and during any after-school activities, such as sports practices, clubs, and music concerts.

Restrictions would be loosened for students who use their devices to track their health, like those with diabetes, or who use their devices for translation services.

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The Des Moines Register's Chris Higgins contributed reporting on the plans discussed by the Ankeny Community School District.

Ryan Hansen covers local government and crime for the Press-Citizen. He can be reached at [email protected] or on X, formerly known as Twitter, @ryanhansen01.

This article originally appeared on Iowa City Press-Citizen: Iowa City schools considering new imitations on student cell phone use