08/17/2026
District Cell Phone Policy for 2026.2027
Dear Parents and Guardians,
The Kansas Legislature passed a new law (HB 2299) that requires all public schools to prohibit student use of personal electronic communication devices (to include cell phones, smart watches, wireless earbuds, fitness trackers, smart glasses, personal tablets, laptops and gaming devices) during the school day. This is frequently known as “Bell to Bell, No Cell”.
Beginning with this school year (2026.2027), the requirement will be in full effect. This is a state law and not optional or subject to individual exceptions beyond those specifically allowed by law.
What does this mean for our students?
These student devices may not be used or accessed at any time during the school day, including lunch and passing periods.
All devices must be turned off and stored in an inaccessible location.
In our schools, the new regulation will be implemented as follows:
Students must turn in their electronic devices to the main office prior to the start of the school day.
Students may also choose to leave their devices at home or locked in the vehicle, but they may not access them during the school day.
Devices will be stored in a secure locker in the main office and returned at the end of the day or prior to leaving campus for school-related reasons.
Liability disclaimer: Pursuant to Kansas state law, the school district and its personnel assume zero liability for theft, loss, or accidental damage of any personal electronic device brought onto school property or stored under this policy.
Communication During the School Day
If a student needs to contact a parent or guardian, they may use a school phone. If you need to reach your student during the school day, please contact the main office and we will ensure the message is delivered.
Limited Exceptions (Required by law)
These exceptions are mandated by HB 2299 and are limited in scope:
Students with an approved Individualized Education Program (IEP) or 504 Plan that explicitly requires device use.
Students with documented medical necessity verified in writing by a licensed physician.
Students requiring an exception to this policy must provide the appropriate documentation to the school administration. Approval in advance by the administration is required.
In the event of an emergency or a critical need to contact a parent/guardian, students may use a phone in the main office. Parents should contact their school office or the District Office in the event of an emergency.
Consequences for Noncompliance
1st Offense: Device confiscated by administration and securely stored until the end of the day.
2nd Offense: Confiscation by administration and securely stored until a parent/guardian picks up and student receives detention.
Additional Offenses: In-school suspension and further disciplinary action.
We are sharing this information with parents/guardians and students at enrollment to give everyone time to prepare for the change. We appreciate your support as we implement these procedures to be in compliance with the new law.
If you have any questions, please contact your school office or the District Office.
Thank you.
USD #269 Palco School Board
Ali Keller, President
Tom Benoit
Kyle Benoit
Kedra Dopita
Brandon Kuhn
Melanie Wendling-Staab
JCDC - Student Personal Electronic Communications Devices
(See BDA, JBD, and JDD)
Students are prohibited from using or accessing personal electronic communication devices during the school day while on district owned or operated property, except as expressly permitted by this policy or by law.
This policy does not apply to any virtual school, as defined by Kansas law.
When personal electronic communication device use is not permitted, students are allowed reasonable access to a school-provided telephone or communication device during the school day to contact a parent or person acting as a parent.
Device Storage
All student personal electronic communication devices shall be powered off and securely stored away from the student’s person in an inaccessible location during the school day, unless an exception applies to this requirement as specified in this policy.
Students may choose not to bring personal electronic communication devices to school by leaving such devices at home or in a vehicle, including a vehicle located on school premises. As students will not have the ability to access or use such devices during the school day, students are encouraged to leave at home any personal electronic communication devices that are not necessary for the implementation of their Individualized Education Program (hereafter “IEP”) or Section 504 accommodation plan (hereafter “504 plan”), communication during their commute to or from school, work, or learning experience that is not located on the school premises.
Kansas law provides that the board, school district employees, and/or any agents thereof shall not be liable for any damage to personal electronic communication devices or for storage of such devices that are brought to school.
The superintendent or superintendent’s designee(s) shall develop procedures to ensure all personal electronic communication devices are turned off and securely stored away from the student’s person in an inaccessible location during the school day. Such procedures shall be included in student handbooks as adopted by the board and communicated to students and parents/guardians as deemed appropriate by district administration.
Definitions
For purposes of this policy, the following definitions apply:
“Inaccessible location” - personal backpack or bag and school-provided locker, where available.
“Personal electronic communication device” - any wireless electronic communication device that is not owned or issued to students by the school district and provides for voice, text, or video communication between two or more parties, including, but not limited to, a mobile or cellular phone, tablet, computer, watch, wireless headphones or earbuds, text messaging device, or personal digital assistant..
“School day” is the time from the start of school until dismissal at the end of the day on the school premises, including, but not limited to, the time in any classroom, structured or unstructured learning setting, recess, lunch or passing period. The term “school day” excludes any time associated with a student's travel to or from a learning experience that is not located on the school premises, including any postsecondary educational course, career technical education course, work-based learning program, or other alternative educational opportunity.
Permitted Exceptions
A student may be permitted to use a personal electronic communication device during the school day under the following circumstances.
Any student may use a personal electronic communication device during the school day if it is the intervention of last resort such that there is no other reasonable alternative option available for such student, and the use is either:
Required for the implementation of a student's IEP or 504 plan; or
Approved by a licensed physician as a medical necessity to support the health or well-being of the student.
Use During School-Sponsored Activities Before and After the School Day
Students may use or access personal electronic communication devices during school-sponsored activities, programs, or events occurring before and after the regular school day, subject to district-approved procedures, event-specific rules, and staff direction.
Enforcement and Disciplinary Action
Violations of this policy will result in disciplinary action in accordance with the district’s student code of conduct. Disciplinary measures may include, but are not limited to, confiscation of the device through the end of the school day, referral to administration for determination of appropriate consequence, parental notification, fines or other appropriate disciplinary response, up to and including suspension and/or expulsion from school.
Discipline shall be applied in a nondiscriminatory manner and shall not interfere with rights provided under an IEP, 504 plan, or applicable law.
Administrative Procedures and Directives
The superintendent or designee(s) may develop administrative procedures and provide directives necessary to ensure consistent implementation of this policy and any board approved regulations and handbooks across district buildings, so long as such procedures and directives are not in conflict with board approved policy, regulation, or handbook language.
Approved:
KASB Recommendation - 4/26
