As the first school day approaches, the State Schools of Jefferson are preparing for a comprehensive area for banning mobile phones.
The Jefferson County Council has approved the ban on May to comply with a new state law that requires regions to adopt policies prohibiting the use of mobile phones during school time and restrict students from accessing social media platforms on school devices.
The JCPS policy goes a step further than what the law requires, prohibiting devices throughout the day, including in the halls and the cafe.
Carolyn Kalahan, chief communications and links to the JCP community, told The Courier Journal that the Council found it necessary to tighten the protocol for various reasons. She added that the implementation of policy is liquid as schools go through this transitional period.
Here’s what you know when entering the school year.
Why do JCP apply a complete ban on mobile phones?
The members of the school council decided to implement a complete ban on an attempt to improve academic achievements and to keep students safe. By cutting the use of mobile phones in the corridors, lunch rooms and classrooms, the board wanted to have less distraction for students, Kalahan said.
“We need our children to be focused on our teachers and to receive as much education as possible from those hours we have in our school,” Kalahan added.
In his meetings, Kalahan said the Council also mentioned the desire to shorten the cyberbully, which could be held online during school.
“We know that the use of mobile phones in the halls – many times – battles and interruptions are subjected and created for content,” said board member Gail Strange at a meeting in April.
Fern Creek High School has decided to accept a complete ban last year for such a reason, “and she works great for them,” Kalahan said.
After accepting its ban in the fall of 2024, the school saw students encourage more social relationships and even take a record large number of books from the library, according to the previous reporting of the Courier Journal.
JCPS told schools that they should look at Fern Creek about how to implement the full ban, Kalahan said.
How will the JCPS mobile phones be applied?
Schools will adopt their own mobile policies depending on what best meets their needs. Parents and students are advised to pay attention to the communications coming from their own school for rules around mobile phones.
“Directors and school leaders know their school population better than everyone,” Kalahan said. “They will be able to work together to determine what will work best for them. I’m sure there will be conflicts throughout the school year as we continue it.”
Valley High School is already publishing a flyer, which details his plan in the new school year. He reads: “Between the hours from 8:30 to 15:20, Valley High School is an area without phones.”
After pointing out that the State Law applies to all devices, the flyer lists a number of prohibited electronics, including mobile phones, smart watches and headsets, among others. The school only allows students to use devices provided by the school.
The high school graduates broke into the Valley High School, as the high school class Valley since 2025 launched its beginning on Friday, May 23, 2025.
At Fern Creek High, administrators take a more practical approach and decided to invest in locking bags so that their students could put their phones, helping them to oppose the temptation.
At a board meeting, President Corey Schwles said that schools may also require students to keep phones in their backpacks, guaranteeing accessibility during emergencies.
If a JCPS student causes a classroom interruption by using their phone, the student support guide and the intervention in the field indicates that the goal is to adjust the behavior while limiting the time missed by the class. Repeated use of mobile phones can lead to a conference or conference for parents of teachers with a school advisor or administrator.
The guide adds that administrators have the right to confiscate a phone when the student violates the rule. In this situation, “The phone will be returned at the end of the investigation.”
The consequences for violating the ban will be different in each school, with schools defining “the progressive consequences for each crime,” according to the manual.
What can JCPS parents do if they want to contact their children at school?
Kalahan said all JCPS schools should have protocols in order for parents to reach their children immediately while at school, even without access to a mobile phone.
“Our front office staff will be ready to support and receive any important messages you need for your students,” Kalahan said.
If parents or students have any other questions about the new policy, they should not hesitate to contact their school for more information. Schools should publish more details before the first day of school on August 7th.
Reporter Krista Johnson contributed. Ruby Grisin is a reporter of The Courier Journal. You can contact her at rgrisin@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: What to know about the new ban on JCPS mobile phones