Kansas Implements Cell Phone Ban in Schools

Students in Kansas are now required to store their phones in lockers before entering classrooms, following a statewide ban on cell phone usage in schools.

This legislation, known as HB 2299, was championed by outgoing Governor Laura Kelly and aims to prohibit cell phone use for students from kindergarten through 12th grade. It was announced in March and is viewed as a strategy to “reduce distractions in the classroom.”

Schools have the discretion to set their own enforcement policies.

The Kansas City Public School District allocated $150,000 to install special lockers for students to place their phones in before classes, as reported by KCTV.

A viral video depicts students at Wyandotte High School placing their phones into cages monitored by lifeguards, starting at 7:25 a.m. each morning.

The stored phones won’t be retrievable during school hours, and students can pick them up only at 2:25 p.m. after classes conclude.

The policy has sparked a range of reactions online, with some questioning its effectiveness. One commenter asked if students might simply place a non-functional phone in the cage while keeping their actual device hidden. Another expressed concern over the potential loss of multiple phones if the cart were stolen.

Concerns were also raised about students with medical needs relying on their phones for important alerts, with one parent emphasizing the need for exemptions for those cases.

Students at Wyandotte High also have alternatives, such as leaving phones at home or in their cars, while other schools are taking different approaches. For instance, Piper Unified School District allows students to keep their phones in regular lockers, inaccessible during classes.

The Basehor-Linwood Unified School District has opted for special lockers similar to Wyandotte’s.

According to the new rules, if a student is found using a cell phone, it will be confiscated for a day on the first offense. Repeated violations—after three instances—will lead to a one-day suspension.

In the Shawnee Mission Unified School District, students are encouraged to leave their devices at home, in lockers, or cars. This regulation also includes private accredited schools in the state. Kansas City Christian School even offers a pouch for phone storage for $25.

All devices—including personal tablets, computers, smartwatches, and wireless headphones—are covered under this ban. However, there are allowances for students needing devices for medical reasons or as part of their education plans. School-issued devices are not included in the policy.

The bill garnered bipartisan support, passing with a significant majority in both the state Senate and House.

However, Democratic state Senator Cindy Holscher, who is running for governor this November, voted against the bill, stating that it overreaches local school boards’ authority and fails to tackle deeper mental health concerns among students.

She argued that teachers are already overwhelmed and suggested collaboration with local leaders to find more effective solutions to support student welfare and success.

Another opponent, Democratic Representative Stephanie Clayton, shared her thoughts on the necessity of phones for teenagers, especially those who drive to school.

On the other hand, Holscher’s election rival, Republican Ty Masterson, supported the ban.

A similar policy, referred to as “bell-to-bell,” is already in place across New York’s public schools, impacting around 1 million students.