A proviso in the state’s FY 2024-25 budget mandates that school districts implement the policy adopted by the State Board of Education to receive state funding.
In a memo sent to all state superintendents at the end of June, a legal advisor for SCDE outlined plans for the policy, contingent on the budget’s approval. The memo noted that more than half of the teachers surveyed supported a complete ban on cell phones during the school day.
Governor Henry McMaster addressed the issue in his press conference last week, where he announced his line-item vetoes and praised legislators for approving the proviso:
“We all know that cell phone use is distracting. Four years ago, I began including a proviso in my executive budgets prohibiting the use of cell phones or other personal electronic communication devices by students at school. Studies show that students’ anxiety and stress related to social media are reduced when cell phone access during school hours is prohibited.I commend the General Assembly for including this proviso in this year’s state budget. Teachers should be free to teach and students free to learn without the burden of added distraction.”
