Mesa schools banned cell phones before statewide ban

By Connor Van Ligten
Mail

In the Mesa Public Schools student code of conduct adopted on July 1, rule 30 outlines the policy around cell phone usage by students.

The rule reads: Cell phones and other electronic communications — a student shall not use a cell phone or other electronic communication device during class time without the express permission of the teacher. During class time, a cell phone or other electronic communication device shall be turned off and placed in the student’s purse or backpack. A student shall not record or transmit speech or other communications of other persons without those persons’ express consent.

Mesa Public Schools implemented this ban before the start of the 2024-25 school year. Now, the ban has gone statewide.

On April 14, Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs signed House Bill 2484 into law, which requires public school districts as well as charter schools to adopt policies limiting student access to social media and wireless devices. This policy still preserves reasonable access for emergencies, medical needs and educational use, according to a release from Republican State Rep. Beverly Pingerelli, who sponsored the bill.

“Education requires attention, and attention is exactly what today’s students are being robbed of by addictive devices and endless scrolling,” Pingerelli said in the release.

Mesa Public Schools’ policy is “closely aligned with HB2484,” Jen Snyder, director of communications and engagement at Mesa Public Schools, said in a statement.

“Mesa Public Schools remains committed to the consistent enforcement of its current cell phone policy, implemented at the start of the 2024–25 school year. This policy is closely aligned with HB2484, reflecting our continued focus on creating learning environments with fewer distractions and greater student engagement,” she said.

Mesa Unified School District — also known as Mesa Public Schools — is the largest public school district in Arizona and has six high schools, nine junior high schools, 55 elementary schools and 18 choice and success schools.