A new statewide law restricting student cell phone use during the school day could cost one school district as much as $180,000 as administrators search for a secure way to store thousands of devices.
Haysville Public Schools is considering installing specialised cell phone lockers for secondary students before classes resume in August. District leaders estimate the storage system could cost between $150,000 and $180,000, although the final amount may change.
The expense has raised concerns about how schools will fund and enforce the new requirements.
Devices Must Remain Inaccessible All Day
The new law applies to public schools and accredited private schools. It prohibits students from accessing personal electronic communication devices throughout the school day.
Covered devices include cell phones, tablets, personal computers, smartwatches, wireless headphones and earbuds. Students must turn them off and store them away from their bodies in a secure, inaccessible location.
The restrictions extend beyond classroom instruction. Devices must remain unavailable during lunch, recess and passing periods under the bell-to-bell policy.
School-issued technology is not covered by the prohibition, while limited exceptions may be permitted for medical needs or educational plans.
District Considers Lockers for Every Secondary Student
Former Superintendent Jeff Hersh told the school board that the district does not currently have enough conventional locker space to store every student’s phone.
Administrators are therefore exploring the possibility of purchasing an individual storage compartment for each secondary student. Providing lockers across the district could push the total cost toward $180,000.
New Superintendent Gillian Macias said officials are also considering where the lockers should be installed.
The district must create a system that allows students to deposit their devices in the morning and retrieve them after dismissal without causing long lines or crowded hallways.
Elementary Schools Present a Smaller Challenge
Administrators expect enforcement to be more manageable at elementary schools because fewer young students regularly bring phones to class.
Teachers may be able to store devices inside classrooms instead of using dedicated lockers. Secondary campuses, however, face a larger logistical challenge because most students are believed to carry phones.
The district must also decide how to handle students who refuse to surrender or properly store their devices.
Macias said violations will likely be added to the district’s existing disciplinary system and treated similarly to other behavioural referrals.
Board Member Criticises Unfunded Requirement
School board member Jennifer Bain described the law as an unfunded mandate and questioned whether the state had overreached by requiring districts to absorb implementation costs.
The law specifies that devices must be securely stored, but it does not require schools to purchase a particular storage product. Districts can develop their own procedures as long as students cannot access their personal devices during the school day.
That flexibility allows schools to consider lockers, secured classroom containers, office storage or policies encouraging students to leave devices at home.
Families Will Receive More Information
The school board is expected to continue discussing the policy and possible locker purchase at its July meeting.
District leaders plan to communicate the final rules to families before school begins in August. Parents and students will need clear information about storage procedures, exceptions and consequences for violations.
The new cell phone restrictions aim to reduce distractions and improve school learning environments, but implementation could carry a significant financial cost.
With an estimated price of up to $180,000 for secure lockers, district officials must balance legal compliance, student safety and limited education funding before the new academic year begins.