Owasso Public Schools approves district cell phone ban

The Owasso School Board approved changes to the district’s discrimination and cell phone policies.

Bell-to-bell cell phone ban

The board voted to approve a bell-to-bell cell phone ban in the classroom. The change comes after Oklahoma’s legislature passed a law designed to limit distractions for kids in schools.

Tulsa, Bixby, and Union already have policies that limit cell phone use.

Owasso's policy bans the use of phones on campus from the morning bell to the dismissal bell. It has exceptions for medical emergencies, natural disasters, or lockdowns.

Owasso Superintendent says the ban is a good policy because it helps kids learn.

"We know that eliminating distraction in the classroom will support student engagement and potentially increase learning outcomes," said Superintendent Margaret Coates.

Discrimination policy changes

The School Board also discussed changing the district's discrimination policy by outlining the definition of antisemitism, as directed by state law, but couldn’t vote on it yet.

Working around OSDE's free lunch directive

Board members also talked about the recent State Department of Education’s directive for all districts to pay for school lunches for all students.

The superintendent says even if they cut every administrative position in the district, it would not be enough to cover the cost of providing meals, which she estimates would be more than five million dollars.

"Our goal is to always meet students where they are and ensure no child goes hungry," said Coates.

Dr. Coates says they'll be sending parents information about how parents can apply for free or reduced school lunches. The cell phone ban goes into effect on the first day of school.