More than 100 parents of students in the Lawrence school district have signed a petition in support of a districtwide ban of cell phones in classrooms.
Justin Blumenstiel, a parent of a Free State High School student, told the school board Monday that he and fellow petitioners support teachers who have called for a stricter, more cohesive cell phone policy.
“I know that the school board is considering these matters very strongly, and I really recommend urgency on these matters,” Blumenstiel said.
More than 80 Lawrence educators signed a petition at the end of the past school year proposing students’ phones be stored in a designated area from the first bell until the last bell of the day.
Some educators further advocated for a cell phone during the school board meeting on June 24. They said cell phone usage in their classrooms has become a crisis, and having to use their discretion can cause conflict with students or take away from instructional time.
The board on July 29 approved a new districtwide student handbook. Previously, the district used separate handbooks for elementary, middle and high schools. After noticing all were very similar, administrators decided to consolidate them for better consistency. Cell phone policies at each level did not change with the consolidated handbook.
Board President Kelly Jones previously said the board policy committee is considering procedural changes and will seek community input before forming a uniform cell phone policy. In the meantime, she said, the district will support teachers’ and staff members’ enforcement of the policies.
Across the district, students aren’t to have their cell phones out while they’re in class. Elementary and middle school policies don’t allow students to use their phones at all during school hours unless granted permission. High school students, however, are still permitted to use their phones outside of class time.
Blumenstiel said parents hope their petition boosts support for concerned teachers. Parents with students at all elementary, middle and high schools in the district signed. They’re requesting the district implement a plan by the end of the fall semester to go into effect during spring 2025.
In other business
• New interim superintendent hired: The board on Monday also approved a contract with the new interim superintendent, Jeanice Swift.
Read more in this article.
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Maya Hodison (she/her), equity reporter, can be reached at mhodison@lawrencekstimes.com. Read more of her work for the Times here. Check out her staff bio here.
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