The Lawrence school district is shifting to a stricter personal electronic device policy that will require students to keep cell phones out of sight and inaccessible during the school day, bringing the district into compliance with a new state law.
The school board approved the policy on a first reading during Monday’s meeting. The policy is required under House Bill 2299, which took effect July 1 and will apply to all students in grades pre-K through 12.
“Lawrence Public Schools will join all Kansas school districts in implementing a cell phone-free school environment extending throughout the school day for all PK-12 students across all campuses,” Superintendent Jeanice Swift said.
The board already approved a cell phone policy in December 2024, but the new state law requires a stricter approach. Under the previous policy, high school students were allowed to access phones during lunch, but the new rule eliminates that exception.
Exceptions will apply for students with an IEP or Section 504 plan and for students whose use has been approved by a licensed physician as medically necessary.
Swift said principals will develop the details of implementation, and the guidance is still being finalized.
“There are 1,000 questions there,” Swift said. “We understand that question, but the guideline will be that the phones are stored in an inaccessible location.”
Board members largely supported the policy framework, and President Bob Byers noted that for the younger kids, parents should have some responsibility and that it shouldn’t all fall on the students like the policy guidelines state.
Board member GR Gordon-Ross also pointed out that the rule should be described as a personal electronic communication device policy, not simply a cell phone policy, to emphasize that it covers more than phones.
“I know colloquially we continue to refer to this as the cell phone policy, and I think we should stop,” Gordon-Ross said. “It is not just cell phones. It is the whole list that is in there, and beyond that list.”
The policy covers “any wireless electronic communication device that provides voice, text, or radio communication between two or more parties,” including cell phones, tablets, computers, smartwatches, wireless headphones or earbuds and text messaging devices.
Under the policy draft, students may use district-issued devices for instruction, and those who need to contact a parent or guardian during the school day will be supported in doing so.
The policy draft was added to the agenda sometime between Saturday evening and the start of the meeting on Monday.
Here’s the draft policy and proposed guidance:
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Courtney Lane (she/her), staff reporter, has worked with The Lawrence Times since April 2026. She can be reached at [email protected].
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More coverage: Cell phones in schools
Jacob Rice / Lawrence Times
