STL area students brace for new cell phone law

ST. LOUIS - Kyra Sullivan, a St. Louis parent, has mixed feelings about Missouri’s new cell phone law, prohibiting students from using cellphones during the school day.

“I don’t know,” she said. “I’m just on the fence.”

She feels phones are a distraction for students but also wants her children to have access to their phones in an emergency.

During Tuesday night’s St. Louis Public Schools Board meeting, there was a brief discussion among board members before they approved revising the district policy to reflect the new state law.

Concerns were raised about how students would be able to communicate in the case of an emergency. A district official, however, said plans are in place for emergencies.

The new law does include exceptions for cellphone use that include emergencies, students with special needs, and authorized use for classroom instruction.

Area school districts, including Francis Howell, Lindbergh, Parkway and Rockwood have shared their updated policies with their families.