Cell phone policy enforcement was a major topic of discussion at the recent Washington School Board meeting. 

Each school district must have a cell phone policy in place before the start of the next school year with the passage of House File 782 that was signed by Governor Kim Reynolds on April 30th. 

The discussion of details of the policy was had for the Washington district. The term “bell to bell” which means no cell phones should be seen or heard from the first bell of the day to the final bell of the day was brought up, as well as transition time, which means students may use their phones between classes and during lunch time.  

Superintendent Willie Stone shared what he had discussed with other distinct leadership when implementing the bell to bell policy, “The schools that I have talked to that have it, that currently have it (bell to bell) said that the first two months are not easy. But after the first two months then things got a lot better, quick. “ 

The School Board decided on the bell to bell restriction rule for K-8th grades, and to allow the phones to be out during lunch for the high school students. The next step when enacting this new policy is to address the question of the emergency policy that is a part of the handbook. The next reading of the cell phone policy will be during their July meeting.