The Wisconsin State Assembly held a public hearing on Tuesday, February 11 for Assembly Bill 2, which will require every school board to prohibit the use of the use of wireless technology in classrooms. Some of the wireless communication devices that would be included in this ban are cellphones, tablets (such as iPads), laptops, and gaming devices. The bill would prevent students from using these devices during instructional periods in the classroom. Further, the bill would also prevent students from texting, calling, messaging, or gaming with others while in a classroom during teaching periods.
The introduction of this bill would affect every school district in the area. As stated by Representative Joel Kitchens, “Almost every school district in the state already has a cell phone policy”. However, most of these policies are not being properly enforced. Rep. Kitchens went on to explain that a major goal of the bill’s implementation is to “Provide the power of state law behind these policies to give support to our schools. This is not something we’re doing to the school districts, it’s something we’re doing with them.”
Later in his testimony, Rep. Kitchens claimed that each school district would have the power the determine what the best policy for their individual district would look like. This means that each school district can use the legislation in a way that best suits the school’s community identity so long as it falls within the parameters of the bill.
Most Lake Country area public school districts have clearly stated cell phone and technology policies as of now. For example, at Pewaukee High School, students are not allowed to use their cell phones during instructional periods or passing periods, but may use their devices at lunch. Arrowhead High School allows students to have cell phone devices on them but are not allowed to use them in a classroom unless given permission from a teacher. This means that students are able to use devices such as laptops for note taking purposes or recording lectures.
Questions have been raised by members of the community over whether or not a policy like Arrowhead’s would be changed by the bill. Many are concerned that students will be punished for using technology in ways that might be helpful for their education or necessary in a medical situation. However, the proposed bill leaves allowances for this, including exceptions “1) for emergencies and perceived threats, 2) to manage a pupil’s health care, 3) for a use included in an individualized education program or 504 plan, and 4) for a use authorized by a teacher for educational purposes”.
For many, the bill seems confusing considering that so many school districts already have policies in place to address the problem of cell phones in classrooms. Parents have alleged that the bill is a legislative overreach. The bill has left many wondering why it’s necessary in light of these pre-existing policies. Rep. Kitchens addressed this concern, saying that AB2 meant to “Provide cover for those districts.” It was stated at the hearing that no additional staff would necessarily be hired to aid in enforcement.
If passed, the bill would go into effect on July 1, 2026. It is currently being sponsored by Representatives Kitchens, Knodl, Dittrich, Donovan, Green, B. Jacobson, Melotik, Murphy, Mursau, Nedweski, O’Connor, Steffen and Tusler.
