A New Mexico senator aims to incentivize schools to limit cell phone use in classrooms with a new bill
Santa Fe: In New Mexico, cellphones are everywhere in schools, just like backpacks. But now, a state senator wants to change that.
Sen. Crystal Brantley, a Republican from Elephant Butte, has introduced a bill to encourage schools to ban cellphones in classrooms. The plan includes $10 million to help schools buy bins for storing phones during class.
Brantley, who has two teenage daughters, believes this should be an incentive, not a requirement. She wants schools to focus on learning without distractions.
A survey showed that many kids get their first phone by age 11, and nearly all use them during school. While some districts have rules against phone use, enforcing them can be hit or miss.
For example, Albuquerque Public Schools has a rule that phones must be off and out of sight, but how well that’s enforced varies by school.
Brantley’s bill comes as other states are also tackling cellphone use in schools. Some have already banned phones, while others are considering similar measures.
She believes addressing this issue is crucial for New Mexico, which has struggled with academic performance. Brantley is also seeking support from Democrats, hoping this can be a non-partisan issue.
With the legislative session starting soon, the bill is gaining traction, especially among teachers. Whitney Holland, a local teachers’ union leader, noted that cellphone use is a top concern for educators.
While some parents worry about banning phones for safety reasons, Holland thinks the incentive approach could help teachers manage the situation better.
