LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- Jefferson County Public Schools approved a policy to ban cellphone use at schools all day, including during lunch and transitional periods, starting with the 2025-26 school year.
The Jefferson County Board of Education approved the policy during its meeting Tuesday evening.
The board has been looking into changing its policy to bring the district into compliance with a new Kentucky law that prohibits mobile phone use during instructional time. The law, passed this year, requires all school boards across the state to adopt policies that prohibit the use of cell phones during classroom instruction.
A vote on the proposal was set for the board's April 29 meeting, but was tabled and pushed to Tuesday's meeting.
Prior to that meeting, JCPS Board Member James Craig said the district's current policy was made during a time that no longer reflects current classroom realities.
The district conducted surveys of principals, staff, parents, and students at its middle and high schools. Participants were given three different options to choose from:
Option 1: I support a district policy that would NOT allow phones during instructional time but are allowed at lunch and during transitions (hallways).
Option 2: I support a district policy that would NOT allow phones during instructional time but are allowed at lunch.
Option 3: I support a district policy that would ban cellphone use at school all day, including during lunch and transitions (hallways).
The third option was approved by the board Tuesday, meaning the district would implement a policy that bans cellphones entirely during the school day. All board members, with the exception of Linda Duncan—who represents southwest Louisville—voted in favor of the new policy.
There would be exceptions to the policy, such as during an emergency. There will also be exceptions for some students who have an IEP or 504 plan, which allows accommodations for students with disabilities.
As far as enforcement goes, each school will come up with its own policy and determine how it will be implemented, with input from students, teachers and parents.
Schools may consider phones remain in backpacks or buying pouches with magnetic locks, a method Fern Creek High school already uses and has said is showing results in the classroom.
"I think we can be confident in the ability of all our principals and school-based personnel to make decisions in like fashion and to encourage best practices in their building to win the acquiescence of their students," Board Chair Dr. Corrie Shull said during Tuesday's meeting.
According to a presentation of the options and the survey results, 59% of all middle and high school principals selected the third option, with middle school principals overwhelmingly choosing option three by 75%, and high school principals by 55%.
The results showed 60% of staff in favor of the third option, 30% of parents surveyed also chose the third option, with 50% of parents voting for the first option. Only 8% of students surveyed chose the third option.
In February, JCPS said its students and staff suffer with unrestricted cellphone use in the classroom.
This story may be updated.
Previous Coverage:
JCPS to consider stricter cell phone policy to comply with new state law
Louisville high school surveying parents on creating 'phone-free' school
JCPS says students, staff suffer with unrestricted cellphone use in the classroom
Fern Creek High School seeing results after implementing phone-free school policy
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