Cell Phone and Personal Electronic Devices

No Cell, Bell to Bell: 2025-26

What is OK SB139?

Oklahoma legislators passed Senate Bill 139 in spring 2025 making Oklahoma schools "cell phone-free zones" for students. It was signed into law by Gov. Kevin Stitt on May 5, 2025. As a result, public schools must write their own Board-approved policy for the 2025-26 school year regarding student cell phones on campus that affects all elementary to high school students. The Moore Public Schools Board of Education adopted its Policy 7195 on June 9, 2025.

The MPS Policy 7195 is listed a) to the right if using a computer desktop, or b) below the FAQs at the bottom of this screen if using a mobile device.

Please familiarize yourself with OK SB139 and also review the frequently asked questions below.

We know this is a significant change for MPS students and their families, but our hope is that with parent and guardian support, we can make the implementation as smooth as possible.

FAQs on sb139

Why did the rules about cell phones change?

This spring, Oklahoma legislators passed a law to make all Oklahoma public schools “cell phone-free” zones for students for the 2025-26 school year. It specifically prohibits the use of student personal cell phones and other personal electronic devices during the school day, while on school campus.

What are other “personal electronic devices?”

This term includes smart watches, smart glasses, smart headphones, tablets, computers and other devices that can be connected to a smartphone, another device, the internet, wifi or a cellular network. It does not include devices that have been issued by the district, like [Chromebooks or laptops], or devices that have been approved by the district.

Why is there a new MPS Board of Education cell phone policy?

The law requires that each Oklahoma school board adopt a policy about how the new law will be locally implemented.

What is the purpose of the change?

The change is mandated by the Oklahoma Legislature. They determined cell phones and other personal electronic devices can be a distraction and make it difficult to prioritize instruction during the day. Supporters of this change hope it will allow students to focus more on learning while they are at school. Initial nationwide research indicates this change may increase classroom engagement and participation, while decreasing cyberbullying and office discipline referrals.

Can students use their cell phones or other personal electronic devices during the school day?

Per the MPS Policy 7195, updated 8/4/25:

- Elementary, junior high, and high school students are not allowed to use personal electronic devices during the school day while on their school campus.

What if students need their phones in an emergency?

The law grants an exception for students to use their devices during an emergency situation, like a natural disaster or lockdown.

Remember that in the event of an urgent situation or a safety concern on campus, MPS will contact parents and guardians directly through ParentSquare.

What if students have a medical issue that requires them to use a device?

- Use of cell phones or personal electronic devices by students who use them to monitor health issues. This includes, but is not limited to, glucose monitoring which may occur multiple times during the school day;

- Use by students with disabilities during the school day if the student’s educational team determines it is required, as an assistive technology device, to be used for monitoring of documented medical or health conditions. To qualify for this exception, the necessity of the use of a device must be explicitly documented in the student's IEP, Medical Plan, or 504 Plan for such medical purposes.

If students can’t use their phones at school, are they allowed to “have” them at school?

Yes. Neither the law nor board policy prohibits students from bringing their phones to school. It just cannot be used during the school day, unless the reason for using it falls under one of the exceptions.

If they are allowed to bring them to school, where should students keep their phones?

To meet the requirements of the law and board policy, our school staff expects phones to be silent, out of sight and not in use during the school day.

Can students use their phones when they are traveling for extracurricular activities?

Yes. The law only prohibits the use of personal devices during the school day while on campus.

What if a student doesn’t follow Board Policy 7195?
Please review the "Violations" listed in the MPS Board Policy 7195. Ultimately, those who fail to follow the new policy will face consequences that align with the district’s discipline policy, which families can find on page 67 in the MPS Student Handbook.

What can families do to help?
Please encourage students to follow this new requirement and to embrace the opportunity it will provide for them to gain more from their school experience. We hope to achieve this goal together and do not want possible consequences from non-compliance to cause additional disruptions to their school day.

Families should look for MPS-initiated communication through ParentSquare.

If students or parents have questions, whom do we contact?

Please contact your school principal.

MPS Policy 7195: Cell Phones & Personal Electronic Devices

What is Policy 7195

UPDATED 08/04/2025

It is the policy of the Moore Board of Education that a student may possess cell phones and personal electronic devices while on school premises, or while in transit under the authority of the school, or while attending any function sponsored or authorized by the school upon prior written consent of both the student’s parent or guardian and the superintendent or his/her designee.

Generally, the expectation is that student cell phones and personal electronic devices will not be a distraction and must remain on silent or turned off and be put away and not used from bell to bell.

Students may not use cell phones or personal electronic devices during lunch or recess while on school campus.

School Issued Devices

Definitions

“Bell to bell” means the time between the first bell ringing at the start of the school day to begin instructional time until the dismissal bell at the end of the school day to end instructional time.

“Personal electronic device” means a personal device capable of connecting to a smart phone, the Internet, or a cellular or Wi-Fi network, or directly connecting to another similar device.

Personal electronic devices include, but are not limited to, smart watches, smart headphones, laptops, tablets, and smart glasses.

Personal electronic devices shall not include school-issued or school-approved devices that are specifically limited to classroom instruction.

Prohibition & Exceptions

Students are prohibited from utilizing cell phones and personal electronic devices or allowing such devices to create distractions while on the campus of a public school district from bell to bell.

Exceptions may be made by the superintendent or designee as follows:

1. Emergency use by students during the school day. Emergency use includes situations where immediate communication is needed for safety or urgent personal matters. Use should not interfere with the student’s ability to follow directions or adhere to safety advisement from school personnel.

This includes, but is not limited to:

a. Medical Emergencies – Calling 911 or a parent if a student or someone nearby is having a severe health crisis (e.g., asthma attack, allergic reaction, seizure); or

b. Natural Disasters or Security measures– Communicating with law enforcement or family during events like tornados, fires, lockdowns, or other emergencies affecting the school; or

2. Use by students to monitor ongoing health issues, including but not limited to, glucose monitoring which may occur multiple times during the school day;

3. Use by students with disabilities during the school day if the student’s educational team determines it is required, as an assistive technology device, to be used for monitoring of documented medical or health conditions. To qualify for this exception, the necessity of the use of a device must be explicitly documented in the student's IEP, Medical Plan, or 504 Plan for such medical purposes; or

4. Students who attend night school may use cell phones and personal electronic devices when authorized by the administration.

Violations

Upon reasonable suspicion, the superintendent or his/her designee, principal, teacher, or security personnel shall have the authority to detain and search, or authorize the search of, any student or property in the possession of the student for unauthorized use.

Students found to be in possession of or using any cell phone and/or personal electronic device in violation of policy or law shall be subject to disciplinary action under the student discipline policy, including, but not limited to parent/guardian conference, detention, or suspension.

As a general rule, disciplinary action will be progressive in nature:

• 1st Offense: Device taken away until end of day (to be picked up by student). Offense logged on Infinite Campus with warning.

• 2nd Offense: Device picked up by parents during school hours and or other consequence deemed adequate by the site administrator.

• 3rd Offense: Loss of privileges to use any personal electronic device on District property.

While a student’s device may be confiscated by the administration of the school district, it must be returned to the student or student’s parent/guardian by the end of the school day.

Punishment for violation will be determined by the administration on a case-by-case basis and the device may be confiscated by the administration of the school district. Student violating this rule will be disallowed from carrying any wireless telecommunication device following the incident unless the device is utilized to monitor a health condition.

Other Limitations

1. Cell phone cameras and audio recorders may be only used for specific educational benefit and only with prior written permission of the teacher or administrator.

2. Students who choose to bring cell phones and/or personal electronic devices to school do so at their own risk. The school district assumes NO LIABILITY for lost or stolen cell phones.

*Under NO circumstances will a student be academically punished for not owning or possessing a cell phone.

THIS POLICY REQUIRED BY LAW.

Reference:

70 O.S. § 1-126

70 O.S. §24-101.1, et seq.

70 O.S. §24-102

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