Fargo: Phone Ban Showing Gains, Schools Say

FARGO (trfnews.i234.me) — North Dakota’s new school phone ban is getting early praise in the Fargo area.

The state law requires a “bell-to-bell” rule in K-12 public schools.

That means devices must be put away and not used during the school day.

What the state law requires

Gov. Kelly Armstrong signed House Bill 1160 in April.

The law took effect Aug. 1, ahead of the 2025-26 school year.

It calls for phones to be stowed and inaccessible from start to dismissal.

Readers can review the bill text in the state PDF.

Fargo Public Schools says students must store devices in lockers, bell to bell.

The district says students should not carry phones during the school day.

The policy also covers smartwatches, earbuds, and personal tablets.

Fargo North High School Principal Travis Christensen said the change is helping focus.

He said less distraction was a main goal of the new law.

Christensen said a first violation usually brings a reminder and a phone hold.

He said the phone is kept in the office until the school day ends.

He said a parent is contacted after that first issue.

He said later violations require a parent to pick up the phone.

West Fargo Assistant Superintendent Vincent Williams said the district is seeing benefits.

He said students can focus and avoid social media drama at school.

West Fargo reported about 10% of its 13,000 students violated the rule.

Williams said a third violation may bring in-school suspension in some cases.

Fargo Public Schools policy and FAQs are posted online.

West Fargo’s administrative policy is also posted online.

I’m Chris Harper reporting for TRF News.

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