SPECIFICS AS TO WHERE IT COULD BE, THE CELL PHONE POLICY FOR CPS STUDENTS COULD BE CHANGING NEXT SCHOOL YEAR. MEGAN MATTHEWS JOINS US NOW WITH WHAT THIS POLICY COULD LOOK LIKE. MEGAN. HEY, JENNIFER. SEVERAL MEMBERS WITHIN THE DISTRICT AND CPS MET TO DISCUSS A POTENTIAL NEW POLICY FOR PHONES WITHIN THE SCHOOL SYSTEM. THEY ARE DECIDING BETWEEN TWO OPTIONS FOR MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOLS. THAT CAME FROM A SURVEY OF EDUCATORS. 59% BELIEVE THAT CELL PHONES SHOULD BE BANNED DURING SCHOOL TIME, INCLUDING WHILE IN THE HALLWAYS, LUNCH AND TRANSITIONS, WHILE THE OTHER 41% BELIEVE THAT CELL PHONES SHOULD BE BANNED DURING INSTRUCTIONAL TIME WITH CERTAIN RESTRICTIONS DURING HALLWAYS, LUNCH AND TRANSITIONS. THE CHALLENGES THAT COME WITH CELL PHONES HAVE SHOWN US IS THAT A FULL BAN SURVEY OR A FULL BAN OF CELL PHONES WOULD ELIMINATE SOME OF THE CHALLENGES THAT WE SEE IN SCHOOLS THAT COME WITH SURVEYS LIKE FIGHT OR RECORDING OF FIGHTS, BULLYING, HARASSMENT, AND SOME OF THOSE THINGS OCCUR IN THE HALLWAY AND CAFETERIA AND CLASSROOMS. NOW, THE BOARD WILL ALSO DECIDE WHETHER INDIVIDUAL SCHOOLS OR THE DISTRICT WOULD DETERMINE WHICH POLICY WOULD BE ADOPTED. ALTHOUGH NO DECISION WAS MADE TODAY. MARTY POLLIO WILL MAK
What JCPS’ cellphone policy could look like at the start of the 2025-26 school year
JCPS is considering a significant change to its current cellphone policy for students, potentially altering how devices are managed during school hours
Updated: 7:16 PM EDT May 9, 2025
Jefferson County Public Schools is considering a significant change to its current cellphone policy for students, potentially altering how devices are managed during school hours. The discussion comes as district leaders, educators, and administrators debate whether policy decisions should be made at the district level or left to individual schools.A recent survey revealed that 59% of educators believe cellphones should be completely banned during school hours, including in hallways, cafeterias, and during transitional periods. Meanwhile, 41% support banning phones only during instructional time, with certain restrictions during other parts of the school day.”The challenges that come with cellphones have shown us that a full ban will eliminate some of the challenges that we see in schools, such as fights, recording those fights, bullying, and harassment. Many of these issues occur in hallways, cafeterias, and classrooms,” said Robert Moore, the chief of schools. Moore says he thinks it would help the ongoing struggle to balance the benefits of technology with the challenges it can bring. While no definitive decision has been made yet, superintendent Marty Pollio is expected to present his recommendation to the JCPS Board by Tuesday night. This decision could shape the upcoming school year for middle and high school students, marking how the district manages technology use.
Jefferson County Public Schools is considering a significant change to its current cellphone policy for students, potentially altering how devices are managed during school hours.
The discussion comes as district leaders, educators, and administrators debate whether policy decisions should be made at the district level or left to individual schools.
A recent survey revealed that 59% of educators believe cellphones should be completely banned during school hours, including in hallways, cafeterias, and during transitional periods. Meanwhile, 41% support banning phones only during instructional time, with certain restrictions during other parts of the school day.
“The challenges that come with cellphones have shown us that a full ban will eliminate some of the challenges that we see in schools, such as fights, recording those fights, bullying, and harassment. Many of these issues occur in hallways, cafeterias, and classrooms,” said Robert Moore, the chief of schools.
Moore says he thinks it would help the ongoing struggle to balance the benefits of technology with the challenges it can bring.
While no definitive decision has been made yet, superintendent Marty Pollio is expected to present his recommendation to the JCPS Board by Tuesday night. This decision could shape the upcoming school year for middle and high school students, marking how the district manages technology use.
