Multiple studies indicate cellphones can be a problem on multiple levels for students, and now school districts across the national are doing something about it.

Sequim isn’t far behind.

Sequim schools superintendent Regan Nickels told board directors last week her staff will be looking into a more firm approach to student cellphone use.

“Many school districts in Washington state and across the country, even some states, are making significant commitments toward banning cell phones or at least having procedures in schools to reduce the use of cell phones in classroom environments,” Nickels told directors at their Sept. 16 board meeting.

“This challenge exists in Sequim schools, too. Just understand, it’s time for us to join this conversation.”

Nickels said she’s recommending more discussions on the board level, the formation of a committee or task force, getting input from students, parents and staff and a survey, “so that we understand the impact” on families, she said.

She also recommended getting the student representatives — senior rep Ariana Bajo-Salas and junior rep Lincoln Forrest — involved in getting more views from students.

“We have some students up against some significant challenges,” Nickels said.

She said she plans to bring to directors a more formalized plan to give them “a pathway to discuss and comment on” regarding cell phones at the next board meeting, set for Monday, Oct. 7.

Known commonly as “Off and Away,” the Sequim School District has Policy 3245 and Procedure 3245a that addresses telecommunication devices (including phones); According to the policy, “Telecommunication devices will be turned on and operated only before and after the regular school day and during the student’s lunch break, unless an emergency situation exists that involves imminent physical danger or a school administrator authorizes the student to use the device.”

The policy further states, “Students will not use telecommunication devices in a manner that poses a threat to academic integrity, disrupts the learning environment, or violates the privacy rights of others.”

Students who violate the policy will be “subject to discipline up to and including expulsion,” the procedure notes, and law enforcement would be notified when the conduct in question may violate criminal laws.

The “Off and Away” policy works in many situations, Nickels told board directors, but some research shows that even having the device on a student — even if it’s turned off — can be a distraction.

“Some environments are more difficult than others,” she sad. “Even that psychological tug to that [turned off] device is significant. There’s a lot to unpack.”

Board director Maren Halverson said, “I appreciated the care and the pacing (of this) to make a smart decision.”

The trends

According to the Pew Research Center, 95% of teens (ages 13–17) have a smartphone — up from 73% in 2022. In a 2021 report by Common Sense Media, 42% of children nationwide own a phone by age 10; 72% own a phone by age 12; and 91% own a phone by age 14.

A three-year study conducted among adolescents found that “those who had higher levels of depression and anxiety reported higher levels of problematic cell phone use as well.” (However, the study noted, this did not allow the researchers to determine if problematic cell phone use led to depression or if those who experienced depression simply used their cell phones more.)

The study also indicated that problematic cell phone usage is associated with psychological distress and emotional dysregulation, and excessive cell phone users were also found to be associated with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder behaviors and symptoms related to attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

Several states — including Florida, Indiana, Louisiana and South Carolina — have enacted policies restricting student cellphone use in schools, as did the Los Angeles Unified School District.

The two Seattle middle schools recently joined a growing list across the country that are creating cellphone-free zones to cut down on distractions and disruptions in the classroom, strengthen students’ emotional well-being and improve discipline.

Hamilton International and Robert Eagle Staff in June announced their student will have to lock their cellphones in little pouches when the school day starts.

The 900-student Hamilton school hired a company called Yondr that sells a lockable pouch system for smartphones. When student arrive at school, they lock their phones into pouches that can only be unlocked at special stations.

In late August, Chris Reykdal — Washington’s superintendent of public instruction — issued guidance for school districts to help craft policies limiting student cellphone use by next fall.

In June, the U.S. surgeon general has called on Congress to require warning labels on social media platforms similar to those now mandatory on cigarette boxes.

Long-range planning ahead

Sequim School Board directors will get a look at the Long Range Facilities Planning Group’s research and information at a special meeting set for 5 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 1, as the district considers a possible bond or capital projects levy.

Nickels said the district will follow that with month-long information distribution for the district’s plan, meeting with community groups, staff, students and parents to get their feedback before drafting a ballot measure.

The district’s Educational Programs and Operations (EP&O) levy is “coming due” at nearly the same time, Nickels noted. In February 2021, voters approved a four-year, $29.7 million EP&O levy that pays for costs related to supporting core learning opportunities but not supported in state’s basic education formula. That levy runs out at the end of the 2025 calendar year.

EP&O levies generally generate funds typically spent on support staff, special education, transportation, some technology costs, food service and extra curricular programs such as art, sports, drama, music and choir. They also pay for librarians, school nurses and counselors.

Also in 2021, voters also approved an $18 million capital projects levy for district-wide facility improvements; that levy is also expiring at the end of 2025. Thee capital projects levy has paid for, among other things, roof replacement, HVAC (heating, venting and air conditioning) system replacements, fire alarm and sprinkler system replacements, refurbishing the district stadium’s track and Sequim High School gym floor, and large-scale upgrades to the district’s technology infrastructure.

Cory Plager of DA Davidson, a Port-Angeles-based financial services company, will talk with board directors about levy figures at the board’s Oct. 7 meeting, Nickels said.