As school starts across the country, many children will head to class with paper, pencils, and folders. But in Kansas, students must leave one item behind: their cell phones.
Videos by Wide Open Country
Kansas Has Banned Cell Phones From Schools
Back in March, Kansas Governor Laura Kelly signed HB 2299 into law. As reported by the New York Post, it forbids students from kindergarten through 12th grade from using their phones in class.
The law aims to "reduce distractions in the classroom." Each school district can decide how to enforce the rule.
In Kansas City public schools, the implementation of HB 2299 has sparked some debate online. Schools in the district have spent $150,000 on special lockers where students must store their phones.
A viral video shows someone supervising kids at Wyandotte High School as they put their devices in a cage with a glass window. They can't be accessed during school hours, and students must retrieve their phones at the end of the day.
Why Is This So Controversial?
On Facebook, people wondered if these high-tech lockers will really work. Some parents seemed more interested in finding ways around the rules than the students did.
"You don't think the kids will put a 2nd or broken phone in there and keep their regular phone on them?" someone asked.
"When someone steals the whole rolling cart, is the school insured to replace 450-650 phones?" a user added.
Another asked, "Are they even checking to see if the phones are working phones? Who's to say the kids aren't turning in an old phone and hanging on to their actual phone?"
However, one parent raised a real concern.
"My question is what about students that rely on their phone to alert them their blood sugar has gone up or down?" a parent asked. "I sure hope there are exemptions for these students."
There are exceptions for students who need a device for medical reasons or as part of their education plan. The law does not apply to computers or devices issued by a school district.
Students at Wyandotte High can also leave their phones at home or in their car. In some districts, they can place their phones in a traditional locker they can't access during the school day. Many kids have been warned not to keep devices in pockets and backpacks.
If a student breaks the rule once, their phone is taken away for the day. After three offenses, the student is suspended from school.
