KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KCTV) – Starting this upcoming school year, Missouri public school students will no longer be allowed to have their phones in school.
On Thursday, Gov. Mike Kehoe signed Senate Bill 68, which bans cell phones in public schools throughout the day, including during lunch and passing periods.
Some school districts already have no phone policies in place. But with this new law, every district throughout the state has to follow suit.
The policy is designed to ‘promote students’ educational interests and ensure a safe, effective working environment for staff and volunteers.’
There are some exceptions, like in emergencies and if a student needs their phone for medical reasons.
Parents have mixed feelings. Jerri Guthridge has a daughter in the North Kansas City School District. She has peace of mind knowing she can reach her at any moment.
“Things have gotten a lot worse in school,” Guthridge said. “It’s not the same. For her to have to go to school and not have a phone to communicate makes me really nervous.”
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Another parent told KCTV5, “It has pros and cons, but overall, I think it’s a good thing for Missouri. Most parents aged 30 years and above today went through school, including high school, with either no cell phone or limited cell phone capabilities. Let school be a way for kids to disconnect from their phones and focus on their education and socialize with their peers more.”
In a statement, Kansas City Public Schools said, “KCPS is committed to developing this policy with input from our families to ensure it reflects our shared values of safety, focus, and equity. We have been and will continue to be in communication with students, staff and families on logistics regarding potential storage methods for student devices during restricted times and appropriate consequences for policy violations.”
Blue Springs School District let parents know about the upcoming change Thursday night in an email which said in part:
“We recognize that change can be challenging, and this new policy will require adjustments for some families. We appreciate your understanding as we work to comply with the state’s directives and support our students through this transition.”
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