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Midwest City-Del City board adopts student cell‑phone restriction to comply with Senate Bill 139
Summary
The Midwest City-Del City School Board approved a revision to policy J-17 to implement a districtwide ban on student use of cell phones and other Wi‑Fi–connected devices during school bell times to comply with Senate Bill 139; the board and staff discussed enforcement, parental notification and initial implementation challenges.
The Midwest City-Del City School Board on a unanimous vote approved a revision to policy J-17 on student use of cell phones and personal electronics to comply with Senate Bill 139.
The policy change, presented by a district staff member, requires that “no electronics, cell phones, or any electronics that connect to Wi Fi” be used from the first bell to the last bell. The presenter said the state law “asked that we give consequences, but it did not tell us what those consequences were,” leaving specifics of discipline to district policy.
Board members and staff discussed practical enforcement and parent communication. Board member Miss Grant asked whether students would be allowed to keep phones in backpacks and whether the district was prepared for the expected increase in violations. A staff member noted the district will secure phones turned in for violations in a locked area in the main office and that initial weeks might be difficult: "I think we are. And I think we have to be prepared for it to be difficult," the staff member said.
Staff described the district’s planned outreach once the board approved the policy: an ad campaign using text messages, social media and paper notices when students arrive. Miss Boyer, the staff member tasked with implementation, said outreach would begin immediately after board approval.
Board members also discussed grant options that could fund phone storage hardware but noted some grants require a three‑year commitment; the board said Senate Bill 139 requires compliance for at least one year before reevaluation.
The board’s vote was recorded as unanimous: Dr. Daniel — aye; Miss Grant — aye; President Standridge — aye. The motion to adopt policy J-17 passed and staff were directed to begin the planned communications and implementation steps.
