Alabama State Board of Education member Tracie West smiles during the board’s regular meeting on February 9, 2023. (Brian Lyman/Alabama Reflector)
The vice president of the Alabama State Board of Education said Wednesday that she supported state action to restrict the use of cell phones in schools.
Tracie West, who represents District 2 on the board, made the remarks during a two-day retreat focused on the upcoming session.
“We’re waiting for the legislators to take that up, and I think it’s our job to go to them and say we want to work with you on drafting a bill,” she said.
No bill had been filed as of Wednesday morning. The board is expected to vote on a resolution encouraging local boards of education to adopt policies on cell phone use.
The governor of Alabama serves as president of the Alabama State Board of Education. The vice president of the board is the highest ranking member among the eight elected board members, chosen from individually drawn districts.
Last year, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a bill that allows teachers to confiscate cell phones in the classroom. Alabama’s state board does not have the authority to mandate a law like Florida’s, so the Alabama Legislature would need to pass their own law.