Cell phones and other personal electronic devices will not be allowed during the school day this year at Kingfisher Public Schools.

A new policy regarding the usage was adopted unanimously Tuesday night by the Kingfisher Board of Education.

The policy is in line with a state law that went into effect earlier this year after it was passed by the state legislature and signed by the governor.

Senate Bill 139 was signed by Kevin Stitt on May 5. It mandates school districts to implement a “bell to bell” ban on specific devices for the 2025-26 school year.

After one year, the restriction becomes optional for school districts.

Oklahoma became the 12th state to pass such a bill.

SB 139 required each school board in the state to adopt a policy and stated the policy must outline disciplinary actions in enforcing it.

Stitt issued a “cellphone fee challenge” for districts last fall and said “classrooms across the country struggle with the influx of cellphone use by students,” in a statement after signing the bill.

“We want kids to be focused and present while they’re with their teachers and this legislation helps promote an environment conducive to learning,” he said in his statement.

The policy adopted by KPS states: “Beginning this fall, students will no longer be allowed to use personal electronic devices during the school day, from the first instructional bell to the final dismissal bell. This includes on-campus lunches and passing periods.

“Prohibited items include cell phones, smart watches, wireless earbuds/headphones, tablets and similar connected devices.”

Superintendent Andy Evans noted that several school districts have opted to require prohibited devices to be locked in pouches during the school day, but said he didn’t want to go that far - not yet anyway.

Evans said KPS students are generally well-behaved and said he doesn’t want to be overly restrictive with the policy.

“I think we probably try this for this year and see how it works out,” Evans told the board.

Evans also provided the board with some “key highlights” of the new policy:

• Possession is allowed, but use during the school day is not.

• Devices should be off and put away (in a backpack, locker or for high school students, in their car) throughout the instructionenter al day unless an approved exception applies.

• School-issued devices are exempt and may be used for instruction.

• Emergency exceptions apply for: - Health or safety emergencies; - Medical monitoring (e.g. diabetes care) with documentation - IEP, 504 or Medical Plan accommodations that explicitly require device use The disciplinary action for violating the new rule was also provided.

The first offense will see the device turned into the office and the student can get it back at the end of the school day.

A second sees the device turned into the office and only released to a parent or guardian.

Repeated violations will result in the student checking in the device at the office at the beginning of each school day and getting it back at the end of the day. The length of this procedure will be determined by the on-site administrator.

Further violations of the policy could see students receive in-school or out-ofschool suspensions.

The policy affects students only. Teachers and staff will be allowed to use their devices throughout the day.

“We expect our teachers and administrators to be engaged with their students and not on their phones,” Evans said. “There are times our teachers do need to have their phones available for emergencies. The policy that was adopted is based strictly on the law passed by the legislature this past session.

“We are placing a policy that is required by law.”