RCAS comments on SD schools cracking down on cell phones

RAPID CITY, S.D. (KOTA) – As the 2024-2025 school year inches closer, many school districts are tightening the reigns on their cell phone use policies.

In South Dakota, at least two school districts, Gettysburg and Edgemont, are implementing lockable pouches for students to place their cell phones during the school day.

Assistant Superintendent for Rapid City Area Schools Cory Strasser agrees with the decision these districts have made and says when cell phones are more of a disruption than a tool, changes need to be made.

“Every school addresses certain issues differently, and I think you’re seeing some of that in South Dakota. Some of the pressure is back against prevalent student use of cell phones, and it really comes down to what the learning environment looks like,” Strasser said.

Rapid City Area Schools decided to not make any changes to their current approach to student cell phone use, which consists of having phones kept in a backpack or locker throughout the school day.

“I don’t see us moving in that direction, but again we need to gauge where the potential disruption is and are we able to effectively address it through our current policy and consequences so that we can preserve the learning environment,” Strasser continued.

While schools in Rapid City are not tightening up their policy at the moment, Strasser says they are continuously keeping an eye out for any needed changes.

“We continually evaluate and look at our policies, so if there is a distinct need coming forth that we need to take a hard look at this policy, then we’re going to do that,” Strasser said.

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