As students prepare to enter school this fall, they’ll likely add a new routine to their mornings — turning off their phones and storing them in their cars, lockers or even with their school’s front office.
The 2026-27 school year marks the start of a new state law that requires students to store personal electronic devices that allow communication — cellphones, iPads, laptops, smartwatches, bluetooth headphones, etc. — in a secure, inaccessible location from bell to bell.
Read the state law here.
Many Johnson County school districts, including Gardner Edgerton, already had similar policies in place that restricted cellphone use.
In a letter sent earlier this month to Gardner Edgerton High School families, Principal Frank Bell said he believes the district’s policy enacted two years ago helped reduce classroom distractions, thereby improving focus and engagement.
“Our behavior data are also trending positively,” Bell said. “Conflicts fueled by social media, group chats, and other phone-related interactions have significantly decreased, resulting in less drama, fewer fights, and fewer disruptions at school.
“A new Kansas law goes beyond our current policy, and every public school district is required to comply,” he added. “The good news is that we are well-positioned for the next step.”
Under state law, students traveling from their school building to another building are permitted to have devices while they travel. Additionally, state law makes allowances for two exceptions, when a device is either:
- required for the implementation of a student’s Individualized Education Plan or 504 accommodation plan,
- or deemed a medical necessity by a licensed physician.
Many districts encourage students to leave devices in their vehicles, though parents online have expressed concern about potential theft or extreme temperatures causing damage. State law, however, provides that school boards and district employees are not liable for the loss of, or any damage to, personal devices.
Every school district in Kansas must meet the new law starting this fall — we’ve compiled a roundup of Johnson County public school district policies including Olathe, Shawnee Mission, Blue Valley, USD 232, Spring Hill and Gardner Edgerton.
Here’s how each district’s bell-to-bell ban policy looks.
Olathe Public Schools
Students in Olathe are encouraged to leave their devices at home, according to district communication.
If students bring their devices on school grounds, then they must be turned off and stored in a school-issued locker, in a school-designated storage solution or other area designated by administration.
Pre-kindergarten and elementary students are also permitted to store their devices in their backpacks, and high school students are permitted to leave devices in their vehicles on campus.
Disciplinary actions for students in violation of the policy may include:
- confiscation of the device through the end of the school day,
- referral to administration for determination of appropriate consequences,
- parental notification,
- or any other appropriate disciplinary response as provided under the district’s Code of Student Conduct.
“We know this maybe an adjustment for many students and families,” the district states in an Aug. 7 post to its website. “Our approach is rooted in teaching expectations, partnering with families and applying those expectations consistently across all Olathe schools. Before school begins, please discuss with your child the new requirement that all personal devices be turned off and securely stored during the school day.”
Shawnee Mission School District
Shawnee Mission’s policy now requires students to leave their devices at home, or turn them off during the school day and leave them in their vehicle or in a school-issued locker or cubby.
For students in violation of SMSD’s new policy, disciplinary actions include, but are not limited to:
- confiscation of the device through the end of the school day,
- referral to administration for determination of appropriate consequence,
- parental notification,
- or other appropriate disciplinary response, including suspension and/or expulsion from school.
Blue Valley Schools
In Blue Valley, the district updated its student code of conduct, under the “Behavior” section, to reflect the changes required by law.
“Students are prohibited from using or accessing personal electronic communication devices during the school day while on district-owned or operated property, except as expressly permitted by this policy or by law,” the policy states. “Failure to comply with classroom/school expectations will result in disciplinary actions.”
Disciplinary actions for students in violation of the policy may include, depending on the severity of the offense:
- student conference,
- parental notification,
- device confiscation requiring a parent or guardian to pick it up,
- detention,
- in-school suspension or out-of-school suspension,
- referral to the school district’s long‐term suspension and expulsion committee,
- and/or referral to the school resource officer or law enforcement.
USD 232 (De Soto)
Students in USD 232 are encouraged to leave their devices at home or in their vehicles. If students do bring devices, then they must be turned off and stored away in an inaccessible location during the school day.
The district’s policy encourages students leaving devices in their vehicles to lock their vehicle, to protect against theft or damage to the devices.
For students in violation of the policy, the district is using a three-tiered system for offenses.
- First offense: The device is taken to the office, and the student can pick it up from the office at the end of the school day. A copy of the policy will be provided to the family upon notification of first offense.
- Second offense: The device is taken to the office, and the student’s parent or guardian will be notified and required to pick up the device. Another copy of the policy is provided.
- Third offense: The device is taken and kept until a parent meeting is scheduled and a plan is agreed upon on how to proceed.
Other disciplinary actions, in accordance with the student code of conduct, may include:
- confiscation of the device through the end of the school day,
- referral to administration for determination of appropriate consequence,
- parental notification,
- or other appropriate disciplinary response, up to and including, suspension and/or expulsion from school.
Spring Hill School District
Students can still bring their devices to school; however, they must be turned off and stored away from the student’s person in an inaccessible location. Students can leave their devices in their vehicles, though district policy reminds them that the school is not responsible for items that are lost, stolen or damaged.
According to the district’s FAQ on the new policy, parents or guardians may request a storage option for their student’s electronic devices by contacting school administration.
Violations of the policy will result in disciplinary actions, leveled up each time an offense occurs:
- On first offense, the device is confiscated and stored until the end of the school day, when students can pick up the device. Parents are also notified at this step.
- Second offense results in a similar confiscation through the end of the school day, though a parent or guardian is required to pick up the device. Additionally, the student is issued a detention.
- Third offense results in confiscation of the device, requiring a parent or guardian to pick it up. The student is also issued an in-school suspension.
- On fourth offense, staff confiscate the device and require a parent or guardian to pick it up. The student is also issued an out-of-school suspension.
Gardner Edgerton School District
Gardner Edgerton’s policy differs a little between elementary, middle and high school students. Each policy is outlined in the student handbooks.
At both the elementary and middle school levels, students are allowed to leave their devices in their lockers.
Locker storage is not permitted at the high school. Instead, high school students must check their devices into the office at the start of the school day. Students can pick them up from the office at the end of each school day.
For elementary and middle school students, consequences look like:
- On first offense, devices are confiscated by the teacher. Parents or guardians are notified, and the student can pick up their device at the end of the day.
- On second offense, the device is confiscated, taken to the office and parents or guardians are notified. Students can pick up their device at the end of the school day.
- Third offense results in device confiscation and a parent or guardian must pick up the device from the front office.
- Fourth offense results in the same as above, a one-day in-school suspension and for a period of time, students are required to leave their devices with the front office at the start of each school day and pick them up at the end of each day.
Consequences at the high school level are similar, but more severe. All consequences are outlined in the student handbooks.
At the high school level, consequences are leveled up as follows:
- On first offense, devices are confiscated and taken to the office. Parents or guardians are notified, and a note is made in the students file.
- On second offense, the device is confiscated, parents or guardians are notified and the student receives a detention.
- Third offense results device confiscation, parental or guardian notification and the student is required to serve an in-school suspension.
- Fourth offense results in the same as above, now with two in-school suspension days and the student loses the finals opt-out privilege (on page 15 of the high school student handbook.
“We recognize that this will require adjustment,” Principal Bell said. “However, because of the steps GEHS students, staff, and families have already taken, we are in a much better position to meet this new legal requirement. We appreciate your cooperation as we navigate this change and continue protecting a focused, safe, and productive learning environment for every student.”
