In response to new legislation signed into law by Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders, the El Dorado School District will fully adopt the Bell to Bell, No Cell Act starting in the 2025-2026 school year.
This statewide law prohibits the use of smartphones, smartwatches, and other personal electronic devices during the instructional day at all public schools in Arkansas, from the first bell to the last.
Under the new law:
Students may not use personal electronic devices such as cell phones or smartwatches during the school day.
Exemptions are required for students with health needs, IEPs (Individualized Education Programs), after-school extracurricular participation, and emergencies.
The El Dorado School District will comply fully with this law and will publish our updated cell phone policy on our website in the coming months. This policy will outline specific procedures for device storage, enforcement expectations, and clearly define circumstances in which exemptions apply.