Lee County schools map out policy to comply with state 'distraction-free' law; draft due in November

The Lee County Board of Education heard a presentation on House Bill 340 and its local implications on student use of personal electronic devices.

David Sims, senior director of human resources and student family services, told the board HB 340 requires that K–8 students have no “bell-to-bell” access to phones during instructional time and that districts adopt a compliant policy by Jan. 1, 2026 and enforce it by July 1, 2026. "K–8 students won't have bell to bell access to phones during the instructional day," Sims said.

Sims outlined options the district is considering for secure storage — lockers, lock pouches, classroom bins or requiring devices to remain in backpacks — and said the law applies beyond the classroom to field trips, buses, athletics and other activities that occur during the school day. He noted documented exceptions will remain for students with individualized education programs or medical plans that explicitly allow device use.

Board members pressed administrators on parent–school communications under the new rule and how storage would work in practice. The administration said it would develop communication protocols and return a first draft of a policy for board review in November, with a planned second reading and adoption by Dec. 8 to meet the state timeline. “This is just information on what the expectations are, and then we’ll work on drafting that together,” the superintendent said.

The presentation did not set final storage choices or discipline steps; the board will consider the draft policy and community feedback in the coming months.