CROOKSTON, MN (trfnews.i234.me) – Minnesota schools are gearing up for new cell phone regulations, with a statewide mandate requiring all school districts to implement cell phone policies by March 2025. The Crookston School District is taking proactive steps, aiming to have its policy ready before the school year starts. On August 1, 2024, Crookston held a community input meeting at the high school auditorium to gather feedback from parents and students.
The meeting revealed strong support for restricting cell phone use in classrooms. Jody Ramberg, a parent, argued for a complete ban on phones to reduce distractions and improve mental health among students. Eric Ellingson, another attendee, suggested a total in-classroom ban but supported limited access for specific educational activities and emergency situations.
Superintendent Randy Bergquist noted the diverse opinions expressed and highlighted the importance of ongoing community and staff input. The district plans to finalize the policy by August 26, 2024, with another input meeting scheduled for August 7, 2024, at 7 p.m. at the Crookston High School auditorium.