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FORT PIERRE, S.D. (KELO.com) – As students return to classrooms in Stanley County today, they will be adjusting to a significant change: personal smartphones and other electronic devices will no longer be part of the school day.
The Stanley County School District has adopted a bell-to-bell cell phone policy, meaning students are not permitted to use their personal cell phones during the school day, including passing periods and lunch. The district announced the change as part of updates to its student handbook ahead of the 2026-27 school year.
Superintendent Rob Coverdale says the district has been discussing restrictions with the Stanley County School Board since the spring. He says there is substantial evidence supporting limits on student access to smartphones during the school day, particularly when it comes to maintaining students’ attention and creating a better learning environment.
The move comes as schools across the country continue to reconsider how smartphones fit into the classroom. A 2026 vote by the Children and Screens Evidence Council found that seven of nine participating experts favored bell-to-bell smartphone restrictions in K-12 schools, citing concerns about attention, learning and social development.
At the same time, research on the effectiveness of phone restrictions is not completely settled. A study published in Academic Pediatrics in July 2026 found that students’ experiences with phone restrictions can vary, with adolescents raising concerns involving autonomy, safety and the structure of school rules.
For Stanley County administrators, consistency will be a key part of making the new policy work.
High School Principal Jessica Carr says that if staff members consistently enforce the phone-free expectations, she does not anticipate major problems. Elementary Principal Dr. Kelly Nagel says device use is generally less common among younger students, but the same policies will still be enforced.
The district’s policy does not mean technology is disappearing from the classroom altogether. Stanley County continues to provide students with access to educational technology, including digital resources such as Sora, an online reading platform that allows students to access eBooks and audiobooks on school-supported devices.
The distinction is between technology used for learning and students’ personal smartphones and devices.
Coverdale also believes students themselves may ultimately see benefits from the change, as the district works to create a more focused school environment and encourage students to interact with teachers and classmates without the constant distraction of personal phones.
Stanley County is joining a growing national conversation over how schools should balance technology, student safety and communication with the need for uninterrupted learning.
For students in Fort Pierre, that conversation becomes reality today — when the school bell rings, personal smartphones will stay out of sight until the school day is over.
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