The debate over cellphone use in South Dakota classrooms is intensifying following a proposal by Congressman and gubernatorial candidate Dusty Johnson to implement a statewide ban if elected governor.
Johnson’s announcement earlier this month has sparked renewed discussion among educators and school officials, particularly in Rapid City, where students are already expected to keep phones out of sight during class. According to Johnson’s release, South Dakota is one of 17 states without a formal statewide policy regulating cellphone use in schools.
At Monday’s Rapid City Area Schools (RCAS) Board retreat, Superintendent Dr. Jami Jo Thompson shared plans to form a committee of parents, teachers, administrators, and board members to evaluate current procedures and review research on cellphone use in educational settings.
While Thompson anticipates a district-wide policy by next school year, she noted that its specifics remain uncertain. She also expressed caution about how a statewide mandate might unfold, referencing Nebraska’s 2024 cellphone ban, which left enforcement up to individual school boards.
Johnson’s proposal would make the ban law but allow local districts to determine how it’s enforced, aiming to protect instructional time while respecting community needs.
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