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Board adopts updated responsible‑use policy; teachers urge a full‑day cell‑phone ban
Summary
The board voted unanimously to adopt updated student and staff responsible‑use policies. During public comment several teachers urged the district to extend the classroom cell‑phone ban to the entire school day for K–12 to reduce distractions and support student focus.
The Olathe Board of Education approved an update to its student and staff responsible‑use policies at its June meeting. The vote was unanimous.
During the public‑comment portion of the meeting several teachers addressed the board and urged a stronger restriction on personal devices during the school day. John Hale, a math teacher at Olathe South, told trustees he supported the classroom ban and urged the district to extend it to cover the full school day, citing research about notifications and student focus. “Please consider a full ban on cell phones at all levels K through 12,” Hale said. He cited studies showing a single phone notification can take students up to 20 minutes to fully refocus and noted the volume of notifications teens receive daily.
Another teacher, Nick Kraly, spoke in support of Hale’s request and commended the board for recent contract and compensation work as well as summer professional learning offerings. Kraly also raised concerns about the climate for LGBTQ+ students and encouraged board members to engage with student affinity groups.
Board members approved the responsible‑use policy update (item 8.03) by roll call and recorded a unanimous vote. District staff said the policy update follows pilot work and aligns with classroom‑level enforcement the district already uses; the board did not take additional action to extend restrictions beyond the approved policy during the June meeting.
Administrators and trustees acknowledged the comments and said the district will continue to discuss school‑level implementation and supports for staff. The board did not set a new timeline for considering a full‑day ban; any district‑wide change to policy or practice would return to the board for formal action.
