Arizona Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Horne is renewing his push for legislation that would ban cellphones in schools statewide. It would require all students to put their phones "away for the day," even during lunch and passing periods.
Horne said a statewide ban would minimize distractions and improve academic performance.
A similar bill was sponsored last year by Republican Rep. Beverly Pingerelli. Democratic Gov. Katie Hobbs vetoed it, calling it an unnecessary mandate for an issue schools are already addressing.
Horne disagreed with that decision.
“In my opinion that was an irrational and irresponsible veto," Horne said at a press conference Thursday. "I ask those who are listening or watching on television to contact the Governor’s Office and ask her next year, if this bill passes again, please do not veto it because this is a terrible problem in our schools.”
Many Arizona school districts already have cellphone limits or bans of their own.
“No teacher should be expected to have to teach a class where the students are scrolling on their cellphones," Horne said. "If you leave it up to the districts, a lot of teachers are gonna have to do that.”
He also suggested putting together a task force to see what strategies have worked for different schools across the state.
