AJUSD superintendent speaks at Phoenix presser on banning cell phones in classroom

By Richard Dyer
Mail | X: @RHDyer

When Arizona Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Horne held a press conference Aug. 22 on wanting to ban cell phones from classrooms — and that he’s looking for legislative help to do that — Apache Junction Unified School District’s superintendent was on hand to speak about the district’s ban.

All cell phones must be off and remain in a student’s backpack or in a classroom cell phone locker at all times under a policy approved by the AJUSD Governing Board.

“The conference was dynamic, offering fresh insights and information that many viewers may not have encountered before,” AJUSD Superintendent Dr. Robert Pappalardo said in an email Aug. 23.

“I covered the key points I’ve shared in the last several interviews on the topic, as well as preliminary findings regarding increased student focus and engagement across our campuses,” he said.

Horne’s proposal for the state differs from what AJUSD does regarding cell phone use in classrooms.

“Horne’s plan is more stringent. Under his proposal, students would be entirely without access to their phones from the start of the school day until the end, which is a broader restriction than what we currently have in Apache Junction,” Pappalardo said.

He agrees with Horne’s statement that “(Cell phone use) has become the heroin of our time, and we really have to take action against it.”

“I agree. It’s well-documented that device manufacturers and social media companies have intentionally engineered their products to be highly engaging, creating what’s known as a ‘persuasive design,’” he said.

“Research shows that the constant stream of notifications activates the brain’s reward system, releasing dopamine — the ‘feel-good’ hormone — each time a user checks their device. This creates a feedback loop that can be difficult to break, especially for adolescents whose brains are still developing,” Pappalardo said.

“Studies have shown that excessive smartphone use can lead to addictive behaviors similar to those seen in substance abuse. This is particularly concerning for younger users, whose impulse control and ability to manage distractions are not yet fully developed. As a result, this kind of compulsive behavior can significantly impact their attention spans, academic performance, and overall mental health,” he said

The distraction posed by cell phones has reached a tipping point, with serious effects on academic performance, socialization and mental health, he said.

”As educators, it’s our responsibility to address this issue head-on. Our focus should be on teaching students how to regulate their device use so that it doesn’t hinder their intellectual growth or social development. Schools aren’t just places for academic learning — they’re environments where students cultivate collaboration, build meaningful relationships, and develop essential life skills. Learning to manage digital device time for personal well-being is a vital skill that needs to be fostered early,” Pappalardo said.

In addition to AJUSD Superintendent Pappalardo, joining Horne at the presser were former public school teacher Mitchell Rutherford of Tucson, who left his position in frustration over the proliferation of mobile devices being used by students in the classroom; State Sen. Shawnna Bolick; and Payson school district governing board member Susan Ward, according to a release.

Richard H. Dyer can be reached at rdyer@iniusa.org, or on X @rhdyer. To voice your opinion on this story, connect with us at AzOpinions@iniusa.org.

Richard Dyer
Managing Editor | East Valley

rdyer@iniusa.org

Meet Richard
Richard Dyer has worked at Independent Newsmedia Inc. USA since 1987, starting his career in Apache Junction as a copy editor and being promoted over the years to work as the editor of the Mesa Independent, news services editor for the East Valley office in Apache Junction, managing editor for the East Valley office, news services editor for the East Valley office and eventually also for the newspapers at INI’s then-Chandler office, managing editor again and as a news editor covering Apache Junction/Gold Canyon and Queen Creek. He helped start the Florence Independent while the news editor covering Apache Junction and Mesa news. In January 2023, he became associate managing editor for the East Valley newspapers and in August 2023 became managing editor for the East Valley newspapers of Chandler/Tempe, Gilbert, Queen Creek, Florence, Mesa and Apache Junction/Gold Canyon, while also reporting on Mesa and Apache Junction/Gold Canyon.  

Community: Since 2009, he has worked as a volunteer to design The Blue Guitar Magazine, Blue Guitar Jr. magazine and Unstrung magazine, which are projects of The Arizona Consortium for the Arts; and since 2014, has been overseeing the art submissions. 

Education: University of Arizona with a master of arts in journalism and a bachelor of science in agricultural communication. Also continuing education at Mesa Community College in welding in a metal art sculpture class.

Random fact: Saw his first tornado on May 31, 2010, which was classified as an EF-2, as part of a stormchasing tour group.

Hobbies: He is an artist of welded-steel sculptures, selling his artwork at juried and non-juried art shows.