North Carolina Gov. Josh Stein visited East Mecklenburg High School on Tuesday, Jan. 13, to tour the campus and speak with staff about the implementation of the state's cell phone policy that went into effect Jan. 1.

Stein was greeted by student ambassadors and popped in and out of classes including art, theater and automotive. After the tour, Stein held a roundtable with several East Mecklenburg teachers to discuss the new policy, how it was being implemented at the school and any noticeable impacts teachers observed in the classroom. Stein acknowledged how Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools’ cell phone policy was ahead of the curve.

“It’s clear from the teachers that this has just been a home-run development,” said Stein. “Students are so much more focused on the task at hand, learning, and they’re more focused on engaging with each other. All of the teachers are completely committed to ensuring their students learn. You can feel it and sense the sincerity, the dedication to their work.”