Salina Public Schools is preparing to enforce a districtwide ban on student access to personal electronic communication devices throughout the school day beginning with the 2026-27 school year.

A notice dated July 31 and provided to Salina311 directs students to leave personal devices at home. Although the cropped notice does not display a school name or district logo, its language and enforcement procedures match information published on USD 305’s official website. The references to storage in an in-school suspension room and parent pickup after 3 p.m. specifically match the district’s procedures for high school students.

The change follows Kansas House Bill 2299, commonly called the state’s “cellphone bill” or “bell-to-bell” device ban. Gov. Laura Kelly signed the legislation March 19, and it took effect July 1. The law requires public school districts and accredited private schools to adopt policies prohibiting students from using or accessing personal electronic communication devices during the school day.

Ban Covers More Than Cellphones

Under the law and USD 305’s policy, personal electronic communication devices include:

Cellphones

Personal tablets or computers not issued by the district

Smartwatches

Wireless headphones and earbuds

Text-messaging devices

Personal digital assistants

Interactive smart glasses

District-issued devices, including student Chromebooks, may still be used for schoolwork.

The restriction applies from the beginning of the school day through dismissal, including classrooms, lunch periods, recess, passing periods and other structured or unstructured settings on school property.

Students are not necessarily prohibited from bringing a device onto school property. However, the law requires any device brought to school to be turned off, stored away from the student and kept in an inaccessible location. USD 305 is directing families to leave the devices at home whenever possible.

Storage Procedures Vary by Grade Level

USD 305 has established different storage procedures based on grade level.

At elementary schools, devices brought to school will be collected and stored by the student’s homeroom teacher. At middle schools, devices will be collected and stored in the library. At Salina Central and Salina South high schools, devices will be checked in and stored in the in-school suspension room.

Students will be allowed to retrieve properly checked-in devices after school.

The district states that it is not responsible for devices that are broken, lost or stolen while being stored. HB 2299 provides that school districts and their employees are not liable for damage involving the storage of personal devices brought to school.

Consequences for High School Students

According to the notice and the district’s published guidance, a high school student found with a personal electronic communication device after the school day begins will receive an office referral. The device will be confiscated and held in the school office until the student can retrieve it after school.

For a second violation, the student will again receive an office referral, but the device must be picked up by a parent or guardian after school at 3 p.m.

Additional violations or refusing to surrender a device when directed by a staff member could result in further disciplinary action, including suspension for open defiance.

Consequences at elementary and middle schools also begin with confiscation and student pickup after school. A second violation requires a parent or guardian to retrieve the device.

Limited Medical and Educational Exceptions

The law allows exceptions when a personal device is required under a student’s individualized education program or Section 504 plan. An exception may also be approved when a licensed physician determines the device is medically necessary and no reasonable alternative is available.

USD 305 says families seeking an exception must submit a request to the student’s building administrator for review by a district team.

The restrictions do not apply while students are traveling to or from certain off-campus learning experiences, including internships, career and technical education courses, field trips and work-based learning programs. Virtual school students are also exempt.

Parents Must Contact School Offices

Parents who need to reach a student during the school day are being directed to call or email the school office. Students who need to contact a parent or guardian may ask a teacher for assistance or use a telephone made available by the school.

USD 305 notes that the law does not provide a general exception allowing students to access personal phones during an emergency. The district will use its official communication system to send emergency information to parents and guardians.