SPOKANE, Wash. — Spokane Public Schools (SPS) Board of Directors voted to implement a new cell phone policy on Wednesday, August 28.
The new policy requires all elementary and middle schools to be cell phone-free during school hours. It also requires that students keep their devices in their pockets or backpacks during the day.
Public high schools will follow similar requirements, but phones will be allowed during passing periods, lunch and before and after school.
The vote from SPS happened just hours after the "Engage IRL: A Call to Action" event, where city leaders spoke about the harmful impacts of too much screen time. The Engage IRL initiative aims to increase access and options so that all kids can engage in real-life endeavors every day.
"And so it's up to all of us now to join in. The city will do its part. We're going to join resources together. You're going to see our community centers, parks, libraries are all going to be a part of this and it's going to make a difference for our kids," said Spokane Mayor Lisa Brown.
Spokane Public Schools Superintendent Adam Swinyard says he believes these changes will benefit the overall learning experience.
“As a community, we are going to work together on this. To help our kids adjust to time and place," said Swinyard. "There’s a time and place I can have my phone out and look at it. There’s a time and place it’s not allowed. Our kids can do this. They can do it and we can do it as a community if we work together.”
The new policy will be implemented in the upcoming 2024-2025 school year and the school district says they hope to get students involved with more extracurricular activities.
For detailed information on the policy, visit the Spokane Public Schools' website.