“State involvement was an absolutely necessary piece,” Todd Schaefer, theater teacher, said about the new state law banning phones.
The law has required restrictions on personal devices throughout all Missouri public schools. There was a similar policy enforced throughout the Webster Groves High School last year where students were required to put their phones in caddies during classes but could have them at lunch and in between classes.
The policy under Senate Bill 68 (Section 162.207) states, ”Beginning in the 2025-26 school year, each school district and charter school shall adopt a written policy regarding students’ possession or use of electronic personal communication devices. Such a policy shall be designed to promote students’ educational interests and ensure a safe, effective working environment for staff and volunteers. The act defines an ‘electronic personal communications device’ as a portable device that is used to initiate, receive, store, or view communication, information, images or data electronically.”…