Fair Grove school officials are contemplating restricting student access to cellphones during the school day, with potential changes coming as early as January.
Superintendent Mike Bell said no decision has been made but recent surveys of Fair Grove teachers, parents and community members showed overwhelming support for setting stricter guidelines.
“We thought it was very important to get the pulse,” Bell said.
He said the discussions are preliminary but center on how much access students in grades 5-12 — middle and high school — should have to cellphones on campus or in class.
Options could range from banning cellphones in school buildings to requiring middle and high school students place the devices in pouches during class.
Bell said any recommendations that are brought forward in the coming months will be an effort to improve student learning.
“The last few years, it’s really become a distraction at the high school and middle school,” he said.
Fair Grove High School Principal Christian Overstreet has been taking the lead on the cellphone issue. “Right now, we are looking at all options,” he said.