COLDWATER, MI (WTVB) – As a new school year begins in Branch County, the topic of cell phones in the classroom has been at the forefront of conversation at both the state and local level.
Pansophia Academy is the first Branch County school to announce that cell phones won’t be allowed to be out during classes.
In a Facebook post the school says the decision was made to improve focus and reduce distractions in the classroom. The post does not use the term banned, but it does say phones must be “out of sight, out of mind.” Consequences for misuse could result in having parents pick up the devices, loss of phone privileges or even further disciplinary action.
The Coldwater Community Schools Board of Education has taken steps toward implementing a ban on cell phone use during school hours. The board passed the first reading of a revised policy during an August 5 special meeting, aiming to prohibit the use of personal communication devices by students throughout the school day.
A second reading of the policy is scheduled for the regular board meeting August 25 during the boards regular session.
This move aligns with a broader trend, as at least 33 states have enacted laws or policies regulating student cellphone use in K-12 public schools, with many citing distractions and mental health concerns as key reasons.
A bill to ban cell phones in the classroom statewide in Michigan stalled in the state Senate earlier this year.
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