Committee backs bill asking districts to adopt "distraction‑free" cell phone policies

The Idaho Senate Education Committee voted to recommend Senate Bill 1032 to the full Senate after hearing testimony from students, superintendents and school board members that district policies restricting personal cell phone use have reduced classroom distractions and behavioral referrals.

Senator Burnt, the bill sponsor, told the committee the measure would require every school district to assess the impact of mobile devices on students and to adopt a policy that “promotes distraction‑free learning” to be implemented by the end of the year. He emphasized the bill preserves local control and does not prescribe a single model for all districts.

Committee members and witnesses described reasons the measure matters. Derek Bub, superintendent of West Ada School District, said districts that adopt strict classroom rules have seen higher engagement and fewer disciplinary incidents, reporting a “45% reduction in behaviors” at the middle school level after policy…