Ankeny schools to consider banning cell phones [Video]

ANKENY, Iowa — The Ankeny Community School District is considering cell phone restrictions for students.

Superintendent Dr. Erick Pruitt says this would be a district-wide policy for Pre-K through high school. He says the main reason behind it is the distractions cell phones cause at school. Pruitt says Ankeny Community School District is looking to ban cell phone use from the start to the end of the school day. Students could be asked to keep their phones off and in their backpacks during this time.

There are, however, exceptions.

“Those students that have a 504 or health plans or a need of assistive technology would be able to have their cellphones on to be able to assist them,” Pruitt explained.

Plus, phone use would be allowed for after-school activities.

“The most prevalent information that I’ve gotten from staff, including our teachers and our school leaders, is they’re taking time away from instruction to have to manage some of the issues that are borne …