Nevada state schools superintendent praises cellphone limits
(The Center Square) – The head of the Nevada Department of Education told The Center Square the agency is “very supportive” of the state’s new law restricting cellphone use in classrooms.
In May, Gov. Joe Lombardo signed Senate Bill 444 into law. The bill requires all Nevada school districts to develop policies regulating students’ use of electronic devices in class.
SB 444 states, in addition to cellphones, electronic communication devices include iPads and student laptops. However, school-provided computers are not on this list.
Steve Canavero, the interim superintendent of public instruction, said SB 444 is a good idea.
Although many items are included in the bill’s definition of electronic communication devices, the primary focus is on cellphones, Canavero told The Center Square.
The superintendent, who has been in his position for three months, explained the state’s school districts were already beginning to address the issue of cellphone usage before he assumed his role.
Some Nevada school districts became serious about addressing cellphone usage in classrooms after the COVID-19 pandemic, Canavero noted.
He pointed out the state’s two largest school districts, Clark County School District and Washoe School District, have policies regarding cellphone use in classrooms.
The Clark County School District began restricting students’ cellphone usage at the start of the 2024-2025 school year, while the Washoe School District implemented its policy in the second semester of 2025.
In an email to The Center Square, the Clark County School District said it supports SB 444.
The district explained it will work with its “elementary principals to ensure that appropriate procedures and expectations are in place regarding personal technology devices in alignment with the provisions” of the bill.
Canavero told The Center Square that under the new law, school districts may determine the consequences for students who violate cellphone policies.
The Nevada Department of Education doesn’t have any specific metrics to determine if SB 444 is a success, the superintendent said. However, he did say the NDOE hopes this bill will help students learn and improve their educational outcomes.
