A more strict cell phone policy considered

As a growing number of school districts across the nation move toward an outright ban on cell phone use during the day, it isnt something local officials feel is necessary.
Not yet.
This past week, school board members in Flandreau discussed the districts policy for cell phones as bans across the country dominate back-to-school discussions.
A growing number of parents and educators locally and nationally are voicing increasing frustrations with how distracted students are with constant messaging, listening to music during class and shopping online, among countless other reasons students might be on their phones.
Most schools, like ours in Moody County, already have rules regulating cell phone use.
But there is concern that any rules are enforced sporadically, and as you know, it can be incredibly tough to keep a teen (or any of us) off their phone if it is anywhere nearby.
A study last year from Common Sense Media found that 97% of kids use their phones during school hours, and that kids say school cell phone policies vary often from one classroom to another and arent always enforced.
For a school cellphone ban to work, educators and experts nationwide are increasingly saying that school administrators must be the one to enforce any bans and not leave that task to teachers.
Florida became the first state last year to crack down on phones in school. A law now in effect requires all Florida public schools to ban student cell phone use during class time and block access to social media on district Wi-Fi.
Some districts went further and banned phones the entire school day.
Oklahoma, Vermont and Kansas have also recently introduced what is becoming known as phone-free schools legislation.
Minnesota legislators released this year a Cell Phone Tool Kit for its schools in an effort to, minimize the impact of cell phones on student behavior, mental health, and academic attainment. State statute 121A.73 requires all districts adopt a policy on students possession and use of cellphones in school by March 15, 2025.
Two U.S. senators Tom Cotton, an Arkansas Republican, and Tim Kaine, a Virginia Democrat have additionally introduced legislation that would require a federal study on the effects of cellphone use in schools on students mental health and academic performance. It is one of several bipartisan alliances calling for stiffer rules for social media companies and greater online safety for kids.
Flandreau Superintendent Rick Weber said during last weeks meeting that South Dakota legislators have hinted this is an issue they intend to take up in the next legislative session.
For now, local educators agreed, current local rules should stand. Weber and school board members are asking, however, for teachers help in being consistent with enforcement of the rules and to keep track of violations and how they are handled as they start the school year.
For those unaware of what school policy is for students:
In Flandreau, elementary students are not allowed to have a cell phone or other smart device on them during school hours, unless it is school issued.
High schoolers can have their phones on them throughout the day but use is supposed to be restricted to before and after school and the lunch hour.
Middle and High School students have the same rules to follow. Phones may used before school starts and during the lunch hour, but must be kept in their lockers at other times. In all cases, any school staff member is able to confiscate the phone and take to the school office during the school day, except during lunch.
First violation, student receives one hour of detention and they may pick up the phone from the school office after school.
Second violation, one Saturday detention and a parent or guardian must come to the school to retrieve the phone.
Third violation one day of in-school suspension and a parent or guardian must pick up the phone.
Four violation, three days of in-school suspension and a parent or guardian must pick up the phone.