MCPS shares timeline for possible phone ban, parents urge immediate action

Missoula County Public Schools is launching a review process for a new smartphone policy after a group of community members urged the district to implement some sort of district-wide ban on smartphone use during school hours.

Parents packed an MCPS board meeting last month asking administrators to act quickly on a phone-free policy in local schools. Many speakers said they’re concerned about the consequences smart devices are having on students’ ability to learn and socialize. On Tuesday, school officials presented a timeline outlining how a new policy might be introduced. 

“Experts advise to set clear boundaries,” Cindy Leary, parent of two Missoula middle schoolers, said at a July 30 meeting. “I think a clear policy across MCPS would be really helpful to all teachers and parents.”

Comments at the July 30 meeting shared input gathered from teachers surveyed, many saying they struggle with students who have become less respectful and struggle with shorter attention spans. 

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On Tuesday, MCPS Superintendent Micah Hill nodded to the numerous public comments delivered at the July 30 meeting in support of a ban. 

“They’ve done a great job of presenting a case for why we should

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