Education

Phones significantly influence school environments, but a federal ban isn't the solution. Schools should adopt state and district policies that limit phone use during the school day, with necessary exceptions. A bell-to-bell restriction, covering class time, lunch, and study periods, is ideal. Policies must include phone storage solutions, clear consequences, and accommodations for medical needs. Emergency concerns should allow for parent contact. Equity is essential; fair re

Jennifer Eckstrom serves as President of the Tucson Unified School District Governing Board, helping oversee policy decisions that affect thousands of students across Southern Arizona. A former Mayor of South Tucson, Eckstrom entered school governance during the COVID-19 pandemic after witnessing firsthand the challenges facing families, educators, and public officials. Since joining the board, she has become a prominent advocate for public schools, literacy initiatives, and

Tom Horne is Arizona’s Superintendent of Public Instruction and a longtime figure in state education policy, having previously held the same office from 2003 to 2011 before returning in 2023. His approach to education has consistently centered on academic achievement, classroom structure, and expanding parental choice, while often drawing controversy over debates tied to curriculum, discipline, and student engagement in school governance. The interview below reflects his view