Hillbilly version: “Why are we paying you if you can’t do your job”?
Arkansas legislators passed and Governor Sanders signed SB142, a law that requires local school
districts to have in place a policy restricting cell phone use on campus during instructional time that is
approved by the Division of Elementary and Secondary Education. In particular, no cell phone usage
on school campus during the instructional day with possible waivers. Noncompliance will result in the
school be cited for a violation of state accreditation standards. Which school districts will need a policy
adjustment? Do locals school districts not already have this policy in place? Will a state mandated
policy be any more effective than current policy? This law is micromanaging, a consolidation of power
through centralized regulation? It is not less government? The republican legislature and the governor
do not think the local boards and present administration can do their jobs. Once again, which schools
actually need adjustments? If it becomes necessary to replace the administrators. Maybe they can find
replacements from other states. The Governor and the legislators site increased mental health disorders
has reasons for the need to have a policy. But they site no examples. We should trust them.
Foregoing who sets policy, will children have a criminal record for failure to obey this law?
A criminal record is not detrimental to advancement, you could grow up to be president. Therefore, I
applaud the efforts of the legislators in their foresight.
All the time, I thought they were just padding the per diem account so they could get paid more. Good
job recognizing a problem and passing a law with due haste. Please don’t allow the local school
districts to run the schools that their children attend. We understand that guidance should come from
above. This law centralizes power by removing it from parents (individual) and superintendents and
school boards (local).