WICHITA, Kan. (KWCH) – The debate over cell phones in the classroom continues. Last week, the The Kansas State Board of Education has accepted the Blue Ribbon Task Force’s recommendation to ban cell phones in schools. but left the decision to implement the plan up to individual school districts.

On Monday, the Wichita School Board held a workshop to evaluate these recommendations and determine how well they align with current district policies.

“What we heard from the board today is that they want us to explore the staff’s thoughts on the current policy and the current policy in relation to the recommendations of the task force,” said the $259 Deputy Superintendent of Secondary Schools, Dr. Loren Hatfield.

Last year, Wichita Public Schools began implementing a limited cell phone policy in school buildings. For middle and high school students, this means not using phones during class time, although students still have the freedom to use their devices during shift periods and at lunchtime.

The school board contacted administrators across the district, who said they have seen positive change as a result of the policy.

“They believe it has improved the learning environment and reduced behavioral incidents related to cell phone use,” Hatfield said.

Although Wichita Public Schools is committed to making the best decision for its students, the district emphasizes that it cannot make this decision in isolation.

“If the school board wants to continue this conversation, we’re going to have to loop back into the community at large: our parents, our students and especially our staff,” said Wichita School Board President Stan Reeser. “We don’t want to create a new problem if the current policy works.

The district said Monday’s workshop was only a preliminary discussion and the conversation will continue in hopes of benefiting students in the future.

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