After it passed in both the Arizona Senate and House of Representatives, House Bill 2484 was signed into law by Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs on April 14. 

The new law requires all public and charter schools across the state to prohibit the use of personal cell phones and electronic devices for the duration of the school day. However, students are allowed to use their devices for educational purposes, in case of an emergency or if students must stay in contact with their parents to manage medical conditions. 

On Aug. 4, the Salt River Schools Education Board approved of the law and its policies. Salt River Schools is enforcing these new policies throughout its campuses, including the Early Childhood Education Center, Salt River Elementary School and the Accelerated Learning Academy.

“We have always collected students’ phones when they arrive on campus,” said SRES Library Media Specialist Nancy Yurek. “[The] teachers have lockboxes to put them in, and this was in [our] policy before the [new] cell phone policy.”

Each school will implement different policies, as stated by Salt River Schools. The Accelerated Learning Academy will allow students to use their personal devices between classes and at lunch, whereas Salt River Elementary School students are allowed to use their cell phones only before and after school, not during the school day. They also may not use devices while attending Eagles Club, which is an after-school program. Further, using electronic devices on school buses is prohibited.

“Cell phones are a privilege, [for use] after schoolwork or after class,” said a Salt River Elementary School parent. “The schools offer [the students] tablets and computers, but there are limitations on those computers where they can’t get into social media or anything.”

Additionally, social media platforms will be unavailable on the schools’ internet networks, unless it’s for educational purposes. 

“At Salt River Schools, we want to build strong futures and even stronger relationships for the youth of this Community, and that means providing them with distraction-free learning environments,” Superintendent Sheryl Houston said in a statement. “We need everyone’s help to comply with this new law. We look forward to partnering with staff, students and families to enforce policies meant to help us create spaces for students to grow and thrive.”