Some students will be exempt from new student phone ban

COLUMBIA, Mo. – School districts around Missouri are preparing for a new school year with a new law that prohibits students from using cell phones during the school day.

“There's going to be a learning curve with both parents and students as far as what the rules are, what the exceptions are, and then what the consequences are,” said Susan Goldammer, chief labor, law and policy officer at the Missouri School Boards’ Association (MSBA).

The group has issued policy guidance to districts ahead of the 2025-2026 school year.
“We start out with a definition of personal electronic devices, which includes a lot more than just cell phones,” Goldammer said.

At Parkway Schools in St. Louis County, administrators are preparing for more than just a simple phone ban.

“We know that many of our students are on their phone constantly and frequently,” said Dr. Kevin Beckner, an assistant superintendent at Parkway. “So breaking those habits is really going to become a new pattern of behavior.”

Beckner said Parkway Schools uses the phrase “off and away, all day” to remind students of their expectations when it comes to phones at school.

The second largest district in the state, North Kansas City, is telling students and parents that certain smart devices like ear buds and watches will also be prohibited.

In a statement, Missouri’s largest school district, Springfield Public Schools, said students are supposed to be engaged in learning, not unnecessary screen time.

“During the school day, students should be focused and engaged to maximize learning. To reduce distractions, enhance student engagement and comply with new state law outlined in Senate Bill 68, SPS students will not be permitted to use Personal Electronic Devices at school. Beginning with the 2025-2026 school year, devices must be completely powered off and stored out of sight from arrival at school to dismissal. This applies to students at all grade levels.”

Not every student will have to follow the new law, as exemptions are allowed for emergency situations, students with disability needs as well as a health exemption.

“I do know that there are some very legitimate reasons some students need to have a cell phone,” Goldammer said. “For example, we have children with blood sugar monitors that read directly to their cell phones.

“So, there are medical conditions, for example, where students need to have their cell phones. They were able to get some exceptions put into the bill for that.”