South Dakota Governor Candidates Weigh in on Banning Cellphones in Classrooms

Strategic Insights -

Most school districts in South Dakota have a policy in place that prohibits cellphones in classrooms. A recent survey of superintendents found that about one-third of school districts take the further step of removing or locking away cellphones during class or school hours. The issue has sparked a heated debate among candidates for governor, with some advocating for a statewide policy or law banning cellphones from school classrooms.

Key Takeaways:

  • Three candidates for governor - US Rep. Dusty Johnson, Democrat Robert Arnold, and Aberdeen businessman Toby Doeden - support a statewide policy or law banning cellphones from school classrooms.
  • The state constitution makes it clear that kids should have quality education, and Rep. Johnson believes that a state government-led policy would give the best of both worlds.
  • South Dakota is one of 24 states that have not implemented a statewide policy or law to ban or limit cellphone use in classrooms.
  • A 2024 Pew Research Center survey found that 72% of US high school teachers say cellphone distraction is a major problem in the classroom.
  • Research suggests that student performance improves after schools ban cellphones.
  • Democrat Robert Arnold argues that other efforts, such as providing universal free lunch and preserving the federal Department of Education, would have a more significant impact on student well-being.
  • Aberdeen businessman Toby Doeden believes that school boards should address the issue of cellphone use in classrooms and that mandating policy changes at the local level would set a terrible precedent.

Statistics:

  • 72% of US high school teachers say cellphone distraction is a major problem in the classroom (Pew Research Center, 2024)
  • 24 states have not implemented a statewide policy or law to ban or limit cellphone use in classrooms
  • 1/3 of school districts in South Dakota remove or lock away student cellphones during class or school hours
  • approximately 100,000 high school students in South Dakota could be affected by a statewide policy banning cellphones in classrooms

Sources:

  • https://southdakotasearchlight.com/2025/08/29/one-third-sd-school-districts-remove-or-lock-away-student-cell-phones-policy/
  • https://ballotpedia.org/State_policies_on_cellphone_use_in_K-12_public_schools
  • https://sdlegislature.gov/Session/Bill/25980
  • https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2024/06/12/72-percent-of-us-high-school-teachers-say-cellphone-distraction-is-a-major-problem-in-the-classroom/