Missoula, MT (KGVO-AM News) – Montana Governor Greg Gianforte sent a letter to all Montana school superintendents and administrators on Thursday urging them to “consider creating cell phone-free schools.”

Gianforte cited a 2023 report from Common Sense Media that found that “97 percent of 11- to 17-year-olds use their cell phones during school hours to text, access social media, play games, and watch videos, among other activities. During school hours, they receive an average of more than 50 notifications per day on their phones. Unfortunately, cell phones distract students and disrupt the learning environment, which studies show leads to learning loss and lower grades.”

Governor calls for cellphone-free public schools

The governor’s letter also states: “Studies and data point to an urgent need to act. Since the advent of cell phones over 20 years ago, student use of these devices, including in schools, has increased. In 2021, nearly 9 in 10 teens and 43 percent of 8- to 12-year-olds own a smartphone. 90 percent of 11- to 17-year-olds use their cell phones during school hours, including to send text messages, access social media, play games, and watch videos.”

Governor Gianforte’s office released the following statement from the Montana School Boards Association on steps that can be taken to limit cell phone use in public schools:

“The Governor’s call for school superintendents and administrators to enact cellphone-free classroom policies is the beginning of a discussion about how to create distraction-free learning and protect the mental health of our students. While each school can enact a different policy based on feedback from parents and school officials, organizations like the MTSBA already have model policies that schools can use. The Governor looks forward to visiting schools in the fall to hear from parents, teachers and students about the importance of creating a distraction-free learning environment.”

The MTSBA statement can be found here.

The official MCPS policy on mobile phones can be found on their website

The official MCPS guidelines on mobile phone use are clearly set out on their website:

“Cell phones must be turned off and kept out of sight during class unless authorized by the teacher. Class time includes time when students are studying for senior classes, activities, and time outside of class with a hallway pass. Students may only use cell phones before school starts, during recess, during lunch, and after the last class period. Staff will confiscate any cell phone used or visible/audible during unauthorized times. Refusal to surrender a cell phone to staff is considered insubordination and may result in an Out of School Expulsion (ISS) or Out of School Expulsion (OSS). Confiscated phones will be returned to the parent/guardian.”

READ MORE: Will cell phone use soon be banned in Missoula schools?

Superintendent Hill said a cell phone ban would be difficult

MCPS Superintendent Micah Hill told me this spring that a total cell phone ban would be difficult because many exceptions would have to be made for medical and other reasons.

Read the Governor’s letter to school superintendents and school board members here.