DES MOINES, Iowa — Des Moines Public Schools’ leaders are planning to implement a district-wide cell phone policy next school year.

At the Des Moines School Board’s Tuesday meeting, Superintendent Dr. Ian Roberts said that after researching the effects of cellphones in the classroom and evaluating Hoover High School’s cell phone free policy, the district plans to implement that policy across the district.

Dr. Roberts says that students should remember this is not punitive, but instead it is about building a healthy balance of how students are engaging and utilizing screen time.

The policy will address students’ need for use of cellphones to minimize distractions, support mental health, and enhance education outcomes.

Part of the proposal includes differing levels of access for students based on their grade. The rules will be set to address three tiers: high schools, middle schools, and elementary schools.

More details will be presented for the board’s approval at their next meeting in April.

There’s also an effort at the Statehouse to limit cell phone usage in schools, spearheaded by Gov. Kim Reynolds. A subcommittee approved the bill earlier in the session, and on Wednesday it was approved to be on the calendar as HF 782.