P1232 Student Use of Personal Electronic Devices

This policy defines acceptable use and storage of Student Personal Electronic Devices (defined below) by students of Wichita Public Schools on school district premises and during the School Day.

Administrative Implemental Procedures:

Definitions

1.  “Parent” means a natural parent, legal guardian, foster parent, and any person acting as a parent.
2. "Student Personal Electronic Devices” include any wireless electronic device that can be used to communicate  via voice, text, or video, including, but not limited to, a cell phone, tablet, computer, watch, smart glasses, wireless headphones or earbuds, text messaging device or personal digital assistant.  Devices provided to students by Wichita Public Schools are not Student Personal Electronic Devices.
3.  "School Day" means all time on school premises between the start of school until the end of the day, including passing periods, lunch periods, instructional time, structured time, and unstructured time. “School Day” excludes any time associated with a student's travel to or from a learning experience that is not located on the school premises, including any postsecondary educational course, career technical education course, work-based learning program, or other alternative educational opportunity.

Use of Student Personal Electronic Devices

1. Students are prohibited from possessing or using any Student Personal Electronic Device during the School Day, subject to the following exceptions: 
   1. The use of the Device is (i) medically necessary to support the health or well-being of the student, as documented by a licensed physician, or (b) required by a student’s Individual Education Program (IEP) or Section 504 Plan; and
   2. Such use is an intervention of last resort, it having been determined that no other reasonable alternative or option is available to the student.
2. Each school shall allow students reasonable access to a school-provided phone or comparable means of communication during the School Day so that students may contact a Parent.

Storage of Student Personal Electronic Devices During the School Day

1. Students and their parents are encouraged to leave Student Personal Electronic Devices at home during the School Day.  The school district will not be liable for any Student Personal Electronic Device that is lost, damaged, or stolen while on school premises or while stored in a student vehicle. 
2. Any student who drives to school may leave their Student Personal Electronic Device in their vehicle.
3. Any Student Personal Electronic Device brought onto school premises by a student must be powered off and stored in a location designated by the school. The location designated by each school for device storage shall be secure and away from the student’s person.  

Violations of this Policy 

1. Any student who possesses a Student Personal Electronic Device in violation of this policy shall be required to surrender such device for storage as provided herein, and may retrieve the device at the end of the School Day.
2. If a student has repeatedly possessed a Student Personal Electronic Device in violation of this policy, the Parent of such student may be required to retrieve the Device in lieu of the device being returned to the Student.  
3. Any student who refuses to surrender a Student Personal Electronic Device shall be subject to discipline according to the school district’s Code of Conduct. 

Virtual Schools Exempt: This policy’s restrictions on Student Personal Electronic Devices shall not apply to any virtual school, as defined by Kansas law.

Administrative Responsibility: Information Services and Technology

New Policy:  July 2026

Download P1232