MARC JACOBS
Hutch Post
Hutchinson Public Schools are preparing families for a new statewide requirement that will prohibit students from using personal electronic devices throughout the entire school day beginning with the 2026-27 school year.
In a letter dated June 26, Superintendent Dr. Dawn M. Johnson informed Salt Hawk families that the Kansas Legislature recently passed House Bill 2299, a bipartisan law requiring all public school districts to implement a "bell-to-bell" cell phone ban.
The new law supersedes the district's previous Board of Education cell phone policy that was in place during the 2025-26 school year. Under HB 2299, students may not use or access personal electronic communication devices during the school day. The restriction applies to cell phones, tablets, smart watches, wireless earbuds and headphones.
The USD 308 Board of Education adopted Policy IIBG on June 22 to comply with the new state law.
Under the policy, all personal electronic devices must remain powered off and completely inaccessible from the start of the school day until dismissal. The restriction also applies during passing periods and lunch.
District officials emphasized that parents will still be able to communicate with their children during the school day. Students may use school phones with staff approval to contact parents or guardians, while parents needing to reach a student should call or email the school's main office.
The district said disciplinary procedures required by state law will be enforced for violations. Parents and guardians will have an opportunity to review and sign the updated policy during enrollment, and the policy will also be included in student handbooks for grades 7-12.
Limited exceptions will be available for documented medical needs or accommodations required through a student's Individualized Education Program (IEP) or Section 504 Plan. Building principals will work directly with families to arrange those accommodations.
The law also changes how school staff communicate with students. Staff members are prohibited from communicating privately with students through personal social media accounts or text messages. Instead, all official digital communication must occur through monitored platforms such as Apptegy Rooms or district email.
To meet those requirements, Hutchinson Public Schools will implement the Rooms feature through Apptegy, the platform that currently hosts the district's website. The feature will be integrated into the Hutch App, with setup instructions to be provided before the school year begins. Parents and guardians will be able to download the Hutch App through the Apple App Store or Google Play Store.
In her letter, Johnson acknowledged the transition may take time but said research shows reducing digital distractions can decrease social media anxiety, increase face-to-face interaction among students and improve classroom focus.
The district said it remains committed to educating and empowering every Salt Hawk for life.