Area superintendents have been closely following the legislation passed in the recent Illinois State Legislative cycle. 

Maroa-Forsyth Schools Superintendent Adam Ibbotson explains that while he is disappointed by budget cuts, particularly mandated categoricals like transportation, he isn't surprised. He is also interested in the cell phone ban that was passed easily through the House and Senate. 

Maroa-Forsyth already practices its own restrictions on phones that are age-group appropriate. Ibbotson says he trusts instructors to employ their own phone rules per classroom, which many already do in the form of phone caddies. 

Ibbotson understands that the ban is to be implemented in the 2027-28 school year, and it seems to ban phones from the start of the day to the dismissal bell. He and other superintendents around the State look forward to guidance on this issue from the Illinois State Board of Education. 

Ibbotson feels that the balancing act between students having phones for safety purposes and the harmful impact phones can have on them is very delicate. He is encouraging parents to make sure they have access to their kids' phones and to monitor their online activity.

Ibbotson plans to navigate these issues as a community over the next year as he and other administrators learn more about applying this ban. Learn more about Maroa-Forsyth schools at mfschools.net or by finding them on Facebook.