Roughly 45,000 Wichita Public Schools students are navigating their first days without cellphones in class, hallways or the cafeteria after Kansas' new bell-to-bell ban took effect with the 2026-27 school year.
Under the state law, USD 259 students must leave their phones in a designated area at the start of each school day. Each building decides exactly how to secure devices, Superintendent Kelly Bielefeld told Fox Kansas before classes began. The district encourages students to leave devices at home entirely if they don't need them.
The ban stems from House Bill 2299, which Gov. Laura Kelly signed in March 2026. The law covers cellphones, smartwatches, tablets, personal laptops, wireless earbuds and gaming systems during all instructional time, passing periods and lunch, Axios reported. Exceptions exist for students with an Individualized Education Program, a 504 plan or a documented medical need.
Parents split on the change
In the opening days of school, some parents told KWCH they miss being able to text their children about after-school pickups, appointment reminders or forgotten items. Others said they wished the decision had stayed with local districts rather than coming from Topeka.
Parent Dan Rivers offered a more measured take. He sees classroom benefits. But emergencies worry him.
"It shouldn't really affect them too much, although they play on their phones a lot; they're teenagers," Rivers told KWCH on Aug. 18.
Rivers said the active-shooter scenario weighs on him, adding that he prays such situations never happen.
Supporters of the ban argue that removing the devices helps students stay attentive and engaged. Kansas House Speaker Dan Hawkins, a Wichita Republican, called the law an essential step forward for Kansas students when it was signed in March.
How USD 259 got here
The Wichita Board of Education voted in July 2026 to adopt policies complying with the statewide mandate, according to KMUW. Schools were required to certify their plans with the Kansas State Board of Education by Sept. 1.
The district's full policy is published as Board Policy P1230 on the USD 259 website.
What's next
The next USD 259 Board of Education meeting is a budget hearing scheduled for Sept. 14 at 6 p.m. at the Alvin E. Morris Administrative Center, 903 S. Edgemoor. No formal review timeline for the cellphone policy has been announced.
