During a recent meeting of the Washington County School District, Liz Cummings, a concerned parent and community member, raised significant issues regarding the impact of cell phone usage in schools. Cummings, who has extensive family ties to local schools, highlighted her involvement with a program called \"Focus Beyond Phones,\" which aims to address the growing concerns surrounding mental health, engagement, and behavior among students linked to smartphone use.

Cummings pointed out that many students are struggling with anxiety, depression, and distractions in the classroom, which she attributes in part to their reliance on mobile devices. She noted that Canyon New High School is currently implementing this program and is already seeing positive results based on collected data. Cummings emphasized the need for a state law that would allow school districts to establish stricter policies regarding cell phone use, rather than leaving it entirely up to individual districts.

The discussion also touched on the broader implications of smartphone dependency, with Cummings expressing concern that both children and adults are increasingly unable to function without their phones. She encouraged the school administration to engage with students and parents about the potential benefits of reducing phone usage in educational settings.

In response, school officials acknowledged the ongoing conversations about cell phone policies and indicated that many schools are moving toward more restrictive measures. The meeting concluded with an appreciation for community involvement and a commitment to serving the needs of students effectively.