TOPEKA (KSNT) – Cell phone usage could be more restricted in Kansas schools going forward; the Kansas State Board of Education is set to rule on new guidelines Tuesday, Dec. 10.
One Shawnee County high school has already put a new policy in place. KSNT 27 News spoke to Seaman High School students and a parent about the school’s new cell phone policy that was implemented in August 2024. But it’s a mixed bag of opinions.
Seaman High School’s phone policy used to be close to none. Before this year, students were able to have their phones out during most of the school day. This school year, the district implemented a new, stricter policy. Students are prohibited from taking their phones out at any time during school hours other than in between classes and lunch.
According to the Seaman School District USD 345 student-parent handbook, it’s a zero-tolerance policy.
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“Me as a senior, I have a job,” senior Thomas Osborne said. “I have a boss that I text during the middle of the day. I have my family members. People depend on me.”
He also shared how it seems the policy is not always enforced.
“I don’t think it’s been a success,” Osborne said. “People still have their phones out, people still take them to the bathrooms, like, teachers like, they’re starting to not care as much.”
KSNT 27 News spoke to Brooke McKinley, a parent of two Seaman High School students. One junior and one sophomore. She said the new policy has brought out the best in her kids.
“We love it because we feel like kids are constantly feeling pressured to check their social media and to be in the norm of their social situations,” McKinley said. “So, when they’re in class, they know nobody’s on their phones, nobody’s texting. Nobody’s on any type of social media whatsoever. I will tell you that it has made a difference in our kids’ grades. When they have to focus, they have to focus.”
When asked how she felt about the zero-tolerance policy in case of an emergency, her response was simple.
“That doesn’t worry me at all,” McKinley said. “If I need to get a hold of them I one, know that they will check their phone during passing time or during lunch and they can respond or two, I can call the school and get a hold of them if I need to.”
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Senior Kayleigh Neill feels as if the policy had a strong presence.
“In the beginning, I think it had good intentions,” Neill said. “Like I noticed that first week it really motivated me to like actually get my work done and not procrastinate and mess around with it.”
But now that four months have passed, she feels its fizzled out.
“Overtime it’s just become more of a hassle for everyone,” Neill said.
KSNT 27 News has reached out to the Seaman School District USD 345 but declined to comment.
Tuesday, Dec. 10, the Kansas Board of Education will publicize their opinions on cell phones. The board’s vote will not be a requirement for all schools, only a suggestion. Individual school districts will ultimately have the final say.
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