ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Mo. – One of the largest school districts in the St. Louis area votes in favor of banning student cell phone use in school.
The Parkway school board approved the new policy during its regular board meeting Wednesday night. The policy will begin at the start of the next school year.
District officials tell us they began studying this issue a year ago, conducting research, visiting other schools and gathering feedback from parents, teachers and students.
When it comes to cell phone use in class, Parkway North High School senior Alexander Beck said, “I see it every single day.”
He expects some students will struggle with the adjustment when the new school year starts in the fall.
“We all know cell phones are really addictive,” said Megan McCrorkle, a Parkway teacher and a member of the district’s cell phone subcommittee that gathered feedback, studied research and visited other districts. “I’ve done some tech detoxing myself, and at first, it’s really hard to do, but I think there are real benefits to mental health and to your ability to focus, and I hope that students are going to see that too.”
Elementary and middle school students will be barred from using cell phones and other devices, such as smartwatches, during school hours.
High school students will be barred from using them in class.
“The difference is just trying to make a focused classroom environment for our kids,” said Kevin Beckner, Parkway assistant superintendent of teaching, learning and accountability. Students can still bring their phones to school and will be able to access them in an emergency.”
“I support it,” said James Taylor, a Parkway parent. “I think cell phones have caused more harm than we thought.”
District officials said exceptions will be made if students have a disability or a medical necessity, like an app for diabetes. Parkway officials are also aware of proposed legislation in Jefferson City that could lead to a statewide ban on cell phone use in schools for all school districts.
View the policy here.