By Sterling McGinn
Smart phones have become a nuisance in American schools, and the problem is happening here, too. To combat the issue, Tahquamenon Area Schools (TAS) has announced that cell phones or other personal electronic devices will be prohibited in the classrooms and during school hours for the 2025-2026 school year.
The district shared this news in a recent social media post, and it has been widely debated since. Most comments appear to support the decision, though some parents had concerns, too.
District Superintendent Shawn Tebo said that the policy has been in place for approximately three years but had not been consistently enforced.
“At TAS, we want students to be free from distractions to focus on learning,” Tebo said. “Research has shown that electronic devices are distracting to educational settings and students are more focused on their cell phones than on learning and their peers.”
According to the policy, the electronic devices that will be prohibited include, but are not limited to: AirPods, earbuds, cell phones, PalmPilots, watches that use Wi-Fi, and any form of device that can be used to communicate.
TAS students can bring their electronic devices to school, but they must be kept in lockers, which can be secured with a padlock.
“We will provide locks for the students, but they are more than welcome to use their own,” said 7-12 grade principal Trevor Clark. Students supplying their own locks will need to give the middle/high school office an extra key or combination to the lock.
Students will be allowed to use their devices in the building after school hours end.
Tebo plans to ask the board of education prohibit cell phone use during lunch and between classes.
Clark is hoping students will have better interpersonal relationships and feels that phone-free lunch periods will help students build those relationships.
“I want to have board games for students to play during lunch,” he said.
Clark said some students are excited about the policy and that the staff are on board.
The Michigan Legislature, with recommendation from Governor Gretchen Whitmer, recently voted on a bill to make all schools cell phone-free. The bill failed by a three-vote margin.
“Eventually, I believe the bill will gain support and be passed,” said Tebo. “Many schools around Michigan are banning personal electronic devices due to the distraction it causes in schools.”
Consequences for students violating the policy are:
First offense
Student will relinquish phone to the office and can be picked up at the end of the day. A parent will be notified.
Second offense
Phone must be picked up by a parent, a parent unable to pick up the device may have a trusted adult or individual over the age of 18 pick up the device.
Third offense
Student will be suspended pending a conversation with guardian and administrator. A plan will be set in place at this meeting.
Further offenses will result in additional suspensions.
“I want to walk into a classroom or lunchroom where students are engaging with each other and not focused solely on their phone,” Tebo said.
When students or parents need to reach each other during the school day, office staff will take calls and deliver messages to students. Those messages will be delivered to the students at the most academically appropriate time. Students can use the school phone to contact their parents.
