By Jen Clancey STAFF WRITER
The Big Sky School District Board of Trustees joined the list of school districts across Montana discussing the impact of cell phone use on kids’ education in its schools. At a Sept. 11 board meeting, members made a motion to discuss Gov. Greg Gianforte’s Aug. 22 call for cell phone-free schools.
The cell phone policy in Big Sky’s high school and middle school currently prohibits use of cell phones, earbuds and headphones during instructional (class) time, unless specifically approved by the teacher. Teachers may collect phones during instruction and assessments to reduce distraction and support academic integrity. Gov. Gianforte’s letter to school district superintendents and trustees urged educators to implement “cell-phone-free” school policies.
The governor’s notice cited a 2023 Common Sense Media study of 203 students aged 11 to 17 years old and their phone use in school—97% reportedly used their phones during school hours.
Lone Peak High School and Ophir Middle School principal Dr. Marlo Mitchem said that the current BSSD policy works, but phones remain a distraction in schools. “During instruction, we generally don’t have issues,” Mitchem said. However, students frequently use their phones during lunch, free periods and in the hallway between classes, according to Mitchem.
“The biggest challenge is during our high school flex time, which is our study hall time, where they’re supposed to get additional help if they need it,” Mitchem said.
BSSD superintendent Dustin Shipman explained that should Big Sky schools adopt an updated cell-phone-free policy, 100% buy-in from staff and the community is necessary.
“We have to be really prepared to deal with it,” Shipman said. He said no decisions will be made without gathering significant data about the staff and community’s perspective on the issue, and soliciting public input.
“The kids are obedient about following the instructions of their teacher,” Shipman said, recalling his observations of students putting away their phones when staff ask them to do so. But where distractions seem apparent are in social opportunities like those free periods, “and it probably is taking away somewhat from their educational experience,” Shipman said.
Board Member Seth Barker offered another side, explaining that communication in today’s society has changed.
“It’s more of a cultural thing, which we’re all guilty of that, right?” Barker asked, mimicking the common posture of one looking down at their phone. Board members nodded in agreement. He continued later on, supporting a pragmatic approach to policy considerations: “Let’s just really be mindful of the data behind it, and recognize if there’s a problem.”
Another board member, Matt Dodd, encouraged collecting feedback from teachers in the school district, who ultimately would carry out policies in their classroom.
The board agreed to revisit phone use policies in its upcoming Oct. 8 meeting.
