Watford City schools blaze trails with cellphone ban, bolstered by new state law
Steve Hallstrom
Special to The Farmer
At the time, it seemed bold and controversial. Maybe even unrealistic.
Two years later, by all accounts, it’s been a local success and arguably a blueprint for the rest of the state.
In the summer of 2023, McKenzie County School District #1 implemented a cellphone ban during the school day. It was an eyebrow-raising move that sparked curiosity and skepticism. Now, with North Dakota’s new “bell-to-bell” cellphone ban law taking effect this week, the district’s pioneering efforts are gaining statewide attention, and affirming district leadership for a smart move, done well.
Dr. Steve Holen, Superintendent of Watford City Public Schools, sat down with The Farmer to reflect on the policy, which he says has reshaped classroom dynamics, improved student engagement, and even influenced teacher retention.
“We were on the head on this one. And we were the first school in North Dakota to try it. And we did feel it was a little bit of a risk, but we do feel good about it. People ask a lot, how has it gone, especially now when the legislature passing the bill? And it’s gone very well. There’s just not much we could say in a negative sense. We’re glad we tried it back then.”
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