Modesto City Schools could ban cellphones during school day. What parents should know
The Modesto City Schools’ board of education conditionally approved a new cellphone policy on March 30 that, if passed, would restrict phone use throughout the entire school day for students in TK through 12th grade. The policy, prompted by a California law requiring school districts to adopt cellphone regulations by July, will return to the board on April 20 for final review.
FULL STORY: Modesto City Schools approves cellphone policy for TK-12. What it dictates
Here are key takeaways:
• The ban includes lunch and passing periods. Students cannot use cellphones on campus at any point during the school day, but they may use their phones after the school day ends.
• Repercussions are determined by grade level: For TK-8 students, the first two offenses require a parent to pick up the student’s phone from the office at the end of the school day. For high schoolers, only the second offense requires parent pickup. A third offense for students of all grade levels requires a parent conference.
• District surveys with stakeholders favored a less strict approach. About 8,000 students, 3,700 parents and 1,200 staff responded to a district survey. Most respondents preferred banning phones during class time only — not the entire day. The board almost unanimously disagreed, citing examples of other districts whose bans resulted in improved grades and fewer disciplinary issues.
• State law requires schools to adopt cell phone restrictions. California Assembly Bill 3216, signed in September 2024, requires districts to restrict cellphone use on campus by July to reduce digital distractions and address mental health impacts. The bill does not require a full day cell phone ban, rather requires districts to restrict to the degree they deem appropriate.
• District leaders believe a ban could reduce digital distraction, misconduct and improve mental health. Superintendent Vanessa Buitrago said a phone ban pilot at a previous district produced “a steep drop in all misconduct” even in the initial stage, including reductions in bathroom wandering, vaping and fighting.