State awards grants to 33 schools and districts to promote safe and appropriate connectivity 

OBAE received a total of 39 applications from school districts totaling $542,000. The 33 schools and districts selected have created policies that include the implementation of device pouches and special lockers to physically prevent students from accessing their devices during instruction time.

Source: New Mexico Office of Broadband and Expansion

SANTA FE – Thirty-three New Mexico schools and districts will use $385,785 in state grants to buy lockable phone pouches, device lockers and network controls designed to support safe and focused connectivity during the school day.

The funding comes from the New Mexico Office of Broadband Access and Expansion’s (OBAE) Wireless Communication Device Policy Implementation Grant (WCDPIG) program, a joint effort with the New Mexico Public Education Department (PED), to curb screen time during instructional hours and support educational use of technology. The funding will be utilized to help districts implement their existing policies to manage student use of personal devices — cell phones, tablets, laptops and other personal wireless communication devices — during school hours.

“Access to broadband is vital for education and supporting our state schools. It’s an effective and productive use of technology that will lead to safe and healthy learning,” said OBAE’s Policy & Programs Bureau Chief Andrew Wilder. “Parents and teachers know how much of a distraction personal devices can be, so this funding will provide schools with the tools they need to keep students engaged.”

OBAE received a total of 39 applications from school districts totaling $542,000. The 33 schools and districts selected have created policies that include the implementation of device pouches and special lockers to physically prevent students from accessing their devices during instruction time. Some policies also call for using network hardware and software to control connectivity to school networks and to limit availability to specific websites.

PED will oversee and manage the implemented school policies.

“Reducing digital distractions gives students more time to focus on learning and connect with their teachers and classmates,” said Public Education Secretary Mariana Padilla. “These grants give schools practical tools to create classrooms where students can be present, engaged and ready to learn.”

In April 2025, Governor Lujan Grisham signed the Anti-Distraction Policy in Schools bill. By law, every school district and charter must now develop and enforce their policies to address wireless device distractions. Exceptions include student medical needs and emergencies.

OBAE made funding from the Connect New Mexico Fund available for this program to help PED support the 89 school districts and 100 charter schools that have already implemented their policies. OBAE plans to conduct a second round of funding to allow more schools and districts to apply.  

OBAE established WCDPIG under its statutory mission to support school connectivity. The agency is cognizant of the device distraction issue in schools and wants to ensure that all students have access to a safe, high-quality education without personal online disruptions.

In May 2026, the Surgeon General of the United States recommended schools establish rules requiring students refrain from using personal devices during the school day. In studies conducted nationwide, restricting the use of these devices has been shown to support anti-bullying efforts and promote social emotional health amongst students.

The Connect New Mexico Fund was established by the Legislature in 2021 through the Connect New Mexico Act and transferred to OBAE in 2023.