The San Diego Unified School District unanimously approved a “phone-free school day” policy on Tuesday for the 2025-26 school year.
Last year, Gov. Gavin Newsom signed Assembly Bill 3216, known as the Phone-Free School Act. It requires every school district, charter school and county office of education to adopt a policy limiting or prohibiting the use of phones by July 1, 2026.
“We are also updating them not just because of the law, but we realize our existing policy has been in place since 2003, so we see an overall need to update this policy,” SDUSD Chief of Staff Enrique Ruacho said.
In San Diego Unified — the largest school district in San Diego County — the policy prohibits phone use in all grades during regular school hours. That means phones should be kept in a backpack, on a desk or in a locker, according to Ruacho.
High school students, however, are allowed to use their phones during lunch and passing periods. Phones may also be used in emergencies, for health-related purposes and if permitted by educators for instructional purposes.
So, what if a student violates the rule?
“What we are really encouraging is for educators to take an approach of where they’re trying to understand what’s happening with a child, like why are they using the cellphone so much?” Ruacho said, adding that a student could see formal discipline if the problem continues.
SDUSD Superintendent Dr. Fabiola Bagula says it’s vital that the new rules be enforced consistently across the district.
“The enforcement piece, I’m going to say we have to act professionally and make sure that we continue to enforce, so it’s how we communicate our own expectations as well,” Bagula said.
The district says the policy will be implemented on the first day of the school year on Aug. 11.