Jefferson City School District kicks off the 2025-26 year Monday
Jazsmin Halliburton
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ)
The Jefferson City School District is kicking off the 2025-26 school year Monday morning, as students will be introduced to the new statewide cellphone policy in schools.
In July, Gov. Mike Kehoe signed Senate Bill 68 banning the use of cell phones during instructional time, lunch breaks, study halls and between class periods, for all K-12 students.
To implement the law, during school hours, cellphones must be turned off or on silent mode and stored in their backpacks or lockers.
This new state law requires all school districts to have the no-phone policy, even if the district already had one in place. In the past, the Jefferson City School District had a no-phone policy, that was only enforced in the classrooms. Due to the new law, the policy will be extended to the other areas of the school.
ABC 17 News spoke to Jefferson City School District Superintendent Bryan McGraw about the adjustment period for students and teachers as the first day of the policy takes place. “I think we work with kids and parents on implementing it and make it, safe space for all and have a great cooperation between both parties and work within the complexities of the law, of course” said McGraw.
Superintendent McGraw told ABC 17 news last week if a student is caught using their phone, the consequence depends on where and how the phone was being used. It also depends on how often the student is caught using their phone. On Monday, McGraw said the administration will work with the student and parent to try to find common ground and work within the law.