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Lawrence Board approves districtwide 'cell phone‑free instruction' policy to start Jan. 6
Summary
The Lawrence Board of Education voted 7‑0 on Dec. 9 to adopt policy JCAA, banning routine student use of personal cell phones during instructional time beginning Jan. 6. The policy includes medical‑accommodation exceptions and a phased launch with education and data monitoring.
The Lawrence Board of Education on Dec. 9 unanimously adopted board policy JCAA (Cell phones and electronic devices), directing district schools to implement cell phone‑free instructional time beginning Jan. 6, 2025. The board's vote followed a presentation by interim Superintendent Dr. Swift and a public comment period.
Dr. Swift framed the policy as an effort to reduce classroom distractions and “lift up the teaching and learning that occur every day in our classrooms,” saying “as of January 6, the Lawrence Public Schools will implement cell phone free instruction.” The policy prescribes different rules by grade band: elementary students will not have phones out during the school day and phones should remain in backpacks; middle‑school…
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