IOWA CITY, Iowa (KCRG) – The Iowa City Community School District (ICCSD) was planning to have a new cell phone policy by now, but has yet to come to a final decision.

Over the summer, the ICCSD set a timeline with that final decision expected in October.

At a work session Tuesday night, school board members continued to debate the merits of a full ban — no phones between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. — versus a limited ban that would ban phones during instructional hours, but not when the students were in the halls or at lunch.

The feedback from people who work in schools seems to be, yes, phones are a major detractor from learning, but also a complete ban on cell phones would add a lot more work to already busy teachers.

“8:00 am to 4:00 pm could create power struggles,” said Brady Shutt, 7-12 social studies curriculum coordinator for the district.

Despite where this group startedmany school board members said they are now willing to look at implementing a limited approach.

However, one school board member said they are still unlikely to approve or vote for anything other than an outright ban.

“These kids need to go to school where they can focus and learn and grow into these amazing adults, and I believe to my core that cellphones inhibit that growth,” said board member Lisa Williams.

Still, Tuesday night, there seemed to be enough consensus to move forward. The superintendent said at the next meeting he could present a limited no-holds-barred policy with details for board members to discuss — a policy the district could implement after the holiday break.

But none of this is a guarantee.

“I’m good to start there. Just because you bring that (plan) back doesn’t mean we’re done there,” said Ruthina Malone, the school’s president.

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