THROUGH THE SCHOOL DISTRICT POLICIES. GUTHRIE PUBLIC SCHOOLS, THE LATEST DISTRICT TO UPDATE THEIR STUDENT CELL PHONE POLICY FOR THE NEW SCHOOL YEAR. STUDENTS WILL BE REQUIRED TO POWER OFF THEIR DEVICES DURING THE SCHOOL DAY, STARTING AT THE FIRST BELL. ALSO IN THE POLICY, IT SAYS, QUOTE, PERSONAL WIRELESS DEVICES MAY NOT BE USED TO PHOTOGRAPH OR RECORD CONVERSATIONS OR EVENTS WITHOUT FIRST OBTAINING PERMISSION FROM THE BUILDING PRINCIPAL AND CONSENT TO RECORD FROM ALL PARTIES. THIS COMES AFTER THE PASSAGE OF SENATE BILL 139 DURING THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION THIS SPRING. KOCO FIVE HAS REPORTED ON OTHER DISTRICTS THAT UPDATED SIMILAR POLICIES THIS YEAR. MOST RECENTLY, EL RENO PUBLIC SCHOOLS AND THEIR POLICY SAYS, QUOTE, STUDENTS ARE PROHIBITED FROM UTILIZING CELL PHONES AND PERSONAL ELECTRONIC DEVICES WHILE ON THE CAMPUS OF A PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT FROM BELL TO BELL IN OKLAHOMA CITY, PUBLIC SCHOOLS DISTRICT STAFF TOLD US, STUDENTS CAN KEEP THEIR PHONES ON THEM DURING THE SCHOOL DAY, BUT THEY’RE NOT ALLOWED TO USE THEM DURING INSTRUCTIONAL TIME. DISTRICT OFFICIALS TOLD US THERE WERE CONCERNS FROM PARENTS CONCERNED MOSTLY WITH PARENTS IS THE ABILITY TO GET A HOLD OF THEIR STUDENTS BEFORE SCHOOL OR AFTER SCHOOL, AND I THINK IT’S IMPORTANT TO KNOW THIS WOULDN’T RESTRICT THAT. AND IN NORMAN PUBLIC SCHOOLS, STUDENTS MUST TURN OFF THEIR DEVICES IN CLASS AND DURING LUNCH AND PASSING PERIODS. IN ALL THESE DISTRICTS, THERE ARE EXCEPTIONS FOR EMERGENCY USE, HEALTH MONITORING NEEDS AND SPECIAL EDUCATION. UNDER THE NEW LAW, WHEN THE UPCOMING SCHOOL YEAR IS FINISHED, DISTRICTS WILL HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO REEVALUATE AND POTENTIALLY MODIFY THE POLI
Oklahoma schools enforce ‘bell to bell, no cell’ policy
Oklahoma school districts, including Guthrie Public Schools, are updating their cellphone policies in response to a new state law requiring students to keep phones off during school hours.
Updated: 10:19 PM CDT Jul 18, 2025
Guthrie Public Schools is updating its student cellphone policy for the upcoming school year, requiring students to power off their personal phones during the school day starting at the first bell.>> Download the KOCO 5 app | Subscribe to KOCO 5’s YouTube channelThe policy also states, “Personal wireless devices may not be used to photograph or record conversations or events without first obtaining permission from the building principal and consent to record from all parties.” This change follows the passage of Senate Bill 139 during the legislative session this spring.KOCO 5 has reported on other districts that updated similar policies this year, most recently El Reno Public Schools, where their policy says, “Students are prohibited from utilizing cell phones and personal electronic devices while on the campus of a public school district from bell to bell.” In Oklahoma City Public Schools, district staff said students can keep their phones on them during the school day but are not allowed to use them during instructional time. District officials noted concerns from parents regarding communication with students before and after school hours. “The concern mostly from parents is the ability to get a hold of their students before school or after school, and it’s important to know, this would not restrict that,” said Tony Childers, general counsel for Oklahoma City Public Schools.In Norman Public Schools, students must turn off their devices in class, during lunch and passing periods. In all these districts, there are exceptions for emergency use, health monitoring needs and special education. Get the latest news stories of interest by clicking here.Under the new law, districts will have the opportunity to reevaluate and potentially modify their policies after the upcoming school year is over.Top HeadlinesPanel flies off of latest generation fighter jet taking off from Tinker Air Force BaseTSA expands security checkpoint lanes for families with children and military membersRollover crash causes traffic delays for morning drivers on I-44 in southwest OKCInvestigation underway after person finds 2 family members dead inside Owasso homeHouse gives final approval to Trump’s $9 billion cut to public broadcasting and foreign aid
Guthrie Public Schools is updating its student cellphone policy for the upcoming school year, requiring students to power off their personal phones during the school day starting at the first bell.
>> Download the KOCO 5 app | Subscribe to KOCO 5’s YouTube channel
The policy also states, “Personal wireless devices may not be used to photograph or record conversations or events without first obtaining permission from the building principal and consent to record from all parties.”
This change follows the passage of Senate Bill 139 during the legislative session this spring.
KOCO 5 has reported on other districts that updated similar policies this year, most recently El Reno Public Schools, where their policy says, “Students are prohibited from utilizing cell phones and personal electronic devices while on the campus of a public school district from bell to bell.”
In Oklahoma City Public Schools, district staff said students can keep their phones on them during the school day but are not allowed to use them during instructional time.
District officials noted concerns from parents regarding communication with students before and after school hours.
“The concern mostly from parents is the ability to get a hold of their students before school or after school, and it’s important to know, this would not restrict that,” said Tony Childers, general counsel for Oklahoma City Public Schools.
In Norman Public Schools, students must turn off their devices in class, during lunch and passing periods.
In all these districts, there are exceptions for emergency use, health monitoring needs and special education.
Get the latest news stories of interest by clicking here.
Under the new law, districts will have the opportunity to reevaluate and potentially modify their policies after the upcoming school year is over.
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