Horne announces renewed effort to have statewide school cell phone ban

For immediate release: August 22, 2024
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Horne announces renewed effort to have statewide school cell phone ban

Legislation approved last year fell to Governor’s veto

PHOENIX – Citing the need for teachers to be able to fully manage their classroom with minimal distractions, emphasize academic performance and create a safer campus environment, state schools’ chief Tom Horne says he will push legislation for a statewide school cell phone ban.

Horne stated, “Imagine being a teacher and trying to teach a class while students were scrolling on their cell phones.  That this has been permitted is outrageous.  It decreases student learning significantly and makes life hard for teachers who already have heavy burdens. No teacher should have to compete against phones for the attention of students. Classroom cell phone use has become so rampant that it is taking away precious instructional minutes and research shows that student academic performance is suffering. This is unacceptable, and statewide legislation is essential to eliminating these distractions.”

He added, “"This legislation passed the legislature last year but was vetoed by the Governor.  That veto was irrational and irresponsible.  People need to contact the Governor's office and urge that it is not vetoed next year.  Leaving this to districts means some teachers will still have to teach to classes of students scrolling on cell phones, which NO teacher should be required to do."

Horne is joined in his support by former Tucson public school teacher, Mitchell Rutherford, who left the profession because so many students were using mobile devices in the classroom that his ability to be an effective teacher was diminished.

Several state legislators, including Sen. Shawnna Bolick, Rep. Beverly Pingerelli, Sen. T.J. Shope, and Rep. Matt Gress are among those who have expressed support for legislation. Horne has also won the support of governing board members Susan Ward of Payson and Apache Junction district Superintendent Dr. Bob Papalardo.

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