Board accepts handbooks for July final approval; high school phone restrictions to be studied

The board accepted the suite of student handbooks for administrative review and scheduled final approval in July, while signaling the need for more study on high-school cellphone restrictions.

Staff told the board that the KSDE task-force guidance reviewing personalized electronic devices has prompted discussion and that the current handbooks largely retain last year’s modifications rather than imposing an immediate, stricter ban. The superintendent said the district is exploring a more restrictive approach at the high-school level but will solicit parent, student and staff feedback during the coming year before proposing district-wide policy changes for 2026–27.

Board members raised implementation questions that staff agreed to evaluate: how phones would be secured and returned if confiscated; whether pouch systems or other physical solutions would work; how policies would handle students without phones; and how high school schedules (students leaving campus for work or classes) may affect a bell-to-bell prohibition.

Several trustees suggested forming a task force or convening building teams to study consequences, unintended impacts and practical enforcement before recommending policy changes. The superintendent agreed to discuss implementation feasibility with building administrators and to report back with options.

The motion to accept the handbooks as presented passed; acceptance allows time for final edits and for staff to return revised handbooks for formal approval in July.