Kearney R‑I board adopts handbook changes to reflect Missouri cell‑phone law, approves Tria Health contract and routine items

The Kearney R‑I School District Board of Education approved revisions to its student handbooks to align with Senate Bill 68’s restrictions on student personal communication devices and approved a $30,000 agreement with Tria Health LLC aimed at reducing prescription costs for district employees, the board said at its regular meeting.

The handbook changes mirror language in Senate Bill 68, signed July 9 by Governor Kehoe, and extend the district’s existing practice on limiting phone use so that the same restrictions apply across preK–12. Dr. Miller, Kearney R‑I superintendent, said the intent of the policy is to “create a distraction‑free learning environment.” The board voted to adopt the revisions as presented.

Board members also approved a one‑year agreement with Tria Health LLC, described to the board as a pharmacy cost‑containment service that reviews prescriptions for redundancies or interactions and works with providers and pharmacists. The contract carries a $30,000 annual cost to the district and, according to the presentation to the board, includes a guaranteed 1:1 return on investment: Tria Health said it will save or reimburse the district $1 for every $1 paid. The district presenter said the service also will provide diabetic testing supplies to employees at no additional charge.

Board members discussed implementation details for the handset restrictions and procedural questions such as how classrooms that currently use phone “caddies” will be managed. The board noted existing exceptions for students with accommodations under 504 plans or IEPs; the adopted handbook language reflects those exceptions.

The meeting also included routine approvals: adult lunch prices for the 2025–26 school year, bus routes for 2025–26, and authorization of bill payment to Darlene Bailey. The board moved and approved an action to proceed to a closed session at its August meeting under section 610.021 of the Missouri Sunshine Law.

Votes at a glance Adult lunch prices for 2025–26 — Motion to approve as presented — approved (voice vote). Bus routes for 2025–26 — Motion to approve as presented — approved (voice vote). Agreement with Tria Health LLC — Motion to approve as presented — approved (voice vote). Contract cost described as $30,000; presenter said service guarantees a 1:1 ROI and charges approximately $6 per employee per month. Student handbook revisions (personal communication devices) — Motion to approve revisions for 2025–26 as presented — approved (voice vote). Language mirrors Senate Bill 68 and retains specified exceptions for accommodations. Bill payment to Darlene Bailey — Motion to approve as presented — approved (voice vote). Motion to authorize closed session in August under Mo. Rev. Stat. §610.021 — Motion to approve as presented — approved (roll call recorded at the end of the meeting).

Why it matters: The handbook revision implements a statewide legal change that alters how student devices are regulated at the high‑school level; the Tria Health agreement represents an immediate operational expense with the stated goal of reducing future benefit costs and out‑of‑pocket prescription costs for employees. Both items affect district operations this coming school year.

Board discussion and implementation steps: Board members asked administrative staff to work with high‑school administrators on procedural details (for example, whether phone caddies will be used) so implementation is consistent across classrooms. Staff also indicated they will provide more detailed guidance to families about the handbook changes and back‑to‑school registration materials later this week.

The board did not amend the policies on the floor; the items were adopted as presented.