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High school presents book study on cell phones; board weighs district‑wide rules and state bill
Summary
Dr. Herbst summarized a community book study and Blue Ribbon Task Force recommendations urging 'bell‑to‑bell' or 'away‑for‑the‑day' device rules; she cited Senate Bill 302 at the Kansas Legislature and the board debated timing, logistics and district‑wide versus building‑specific policies.
Dr. Herbst presented findings from a school community book study (Jonathan Haidt) and summarized recommendations from the Kansas State Department of Education Blue Ribbon Task Force on student personal devices.
Dr. Herbst said the task force recommended districts consider a bell‑to‑bell no‑cell‑phone policy or an 'away for the day' approach that keeps personal devices inaccessible during instruction. "We are in the information gathering stages of a cell phone policy," she said, describing local restorative responses now used at the high school (first offense: warning; second offense: device confiscated and returned at end of day; third offense: parent pickup).
She told the board that the Kansas Legislature had introduced Senate Bill 302, which would prohibit student use of personal electronic devices during instructional time and contains provisions restricting private staff‑to‑student communication on social media. Board members raised practical concerns: how a bell‑to‑bell rule would account for juniors and seniors off campus for lunch, off‑campus college classes, or internships; how staff would be permitted to use personal devices; and how coaches and activity sponsors would communicate practice changes. The superintendent noted the district has a communications team reviewing platforms, and consultants will test online engagement and translation tools for public input.
Why it matters: administrators said research shows substantial effects on attention, sleep and social engagement from unrestricted device access, and some district staff and community stakeholders support stronger rules. The board did not adopt a new district policy at this meeting but discussed next steps, including further stakeholder outreach and a February work session on student behavior and supports.
