District 32 has updated its procedure for enforcing Policy JFCD regarding student use of personal communication devices in compliance with Missouri Senate Bill 68.
This procedural shift is about more than compliance with the law — it is about creating the best possible learning environment for our students. Having access to a personal communication device throughout the school day can be a significant source of distraction for students, impeding their ability to concentrate and often causing classroom disruptions. Studies show that frequent device use often leads to decreased academic performance, increased anxiety, and less social interaction.
We have reviewed evidence from peer Districts that report numerous benefits to a school day cell phone ban. Schools have seen notable decreases in class disruptions, fights, and insubordinations, and have experienced a dramatic increase in social interactions among students.
Procedure Updates and Enforcement
Beginning with the first day of school on August 20, District 32 students in all buildings will be prohibited from displaying or using personal communication devices from the start of the instructional day at 7:49 a.m. until the end of the instructional day at 2:55 p.m., including any breaks between classes.
Personal communication devices include cell phones, smartwatches, personal laptops, tablets, video game devices, and other portable media players as well as bluetooth devices such as headphones and earbuds. Students will still be able to carry these devices on their person, but the expectation is that devices will be turned off and stowed in a bag out of sight throughout the instructional day.
Using or displaying personal electronic devices during the instructional day will only be allowed through special circumstances as outlined in Policy JCFD.
Students who violate this procedure will be subject to discipline, including device confiscation, as detailed in Regulation JG-R1 and the student handbook.
First Offense: Device will be confiscated and returned to the student at the end of the day and parents/guardians will be contacted. (e-mail, or phone call)
Second Offense: Device will be confiscated and parents/guardians will be contacted (phone call). A parent/guardian will be required to pick up the device.
Subsequent Offenses: Subsequent offenses will result in device confiscation and a parent/guardian will be required to pick up the device. Schools will communicate further disciplinary action by phone, which could include principal/student conference, detention, in-school suspension, out-of-school suspension, or expulsion depending on the recurrence of the offense.
Refusal to comply with surrendering a device will result in disciplinary action per Regulation JG-RI.