Cell Phone Off and Away

New Cell Phone Guidelines

Patrick Moore

July 5, 2025

Nebraska has enacted a law, LB 140, prohibiting the use of cell phones and other electronic communication devices by students in K-12 public schools during school hours and at school functions. This law, signed by Governor Jim Pillen, aims to minimize distractions and promote academic focus. The law requires school districts to implement policies reflecting this ban, with exceptions for educational purposes, emergencies, and specific health or special education needs. 

Key aspects of the Nebraska cell phone ban:

• Scope: The ban applies to all K-12 public school students in Nebraska. 
• Location: It covers school property, including classrooms, and school-sponsored events like field trips. 
• Timing: The prohibition is in effect during school hours and school functions. 
• Exceptions: The law includes exceptions for situations like: 
o When a student's special education plan requires cellphone use. 
o For educational purposes authorized by the school district. 
o During emergencies or when a student perceives a threat. 
o To monitor or manage a student's health care needs. 
o When a school board or administrator approves use. 
• Implementation: School boards must adopt policies reflecting the ban by the start of the 2025-2026 school year. 
• Enforcement: The law allows for discipline and enforcement mechanisms to be included in the school's policies and handbook. 

Student Handbook Update: 

K-12 Electronic Devices/Cell Phones “Off and Away” Procedures

Cell phones are a normal means for parents/guardians to coordinate after-school activities, schedules, and transportation issues. Understanding the need to continue to provide urgent communication between students and families, if a student needs to contact a guardian or parent, that student may be able to go to the school counselor’s office, the main high school office, or nurse’s office. A parent or guardian can always contact the high school office in the event of an emergency.

However, in school, cell phones are a distraction, they take away from the educational process by decreasing classroom engagement, hindering student communication, negatively impacting school culture, and limiting student success. Use of the cell phone in unauthorized ways include inappropriate picture taking or video creating, harassing and bullying behavior, and coordinating meet-ups for social or illegal purposes including vaping, vandalism and graffiti.

Recognizing this reality the following “Off and Away” procedures will apply to cell phones within the school:

• Cell phone, smartwatch, and wireless headphone use is prohibited during the school day (including field trips). These devices may be used before 8:00 am and after 3:32 pm (or 2:30 for Friday’s and early outs). If a student needs to place an emergency phone call during the day, they must visit the high school office and request permission to make the call.
• “Off and Away” means devices are turned off and not on the student (i.e in a backpack, locker, vehicle, or home, etc.).
• Personal electronic devices (PED), including but not limited to tablets/iPads, digital recorders, calculators, digital cameras/video cameras, switches, and laptops, are not to be used during class unless the teacher specifically authorizes their usage for a class-related purpose.

Students are reminded that connecting any devices outside of the public network is a direct violation of the Acceptable Use Policy. Students must exercise respect for their teachers and peers by not taking out their cell phone during class and causing a disruption to the learning environment. Students who violate this policy will be referred to the office.  Discipline shall be as follows:

1st Offense:  Phone will be confiscated and taken to the principal and may be picked up at the end of the day.
2nd Offense:  Phone will be confiscated and taken to the principal and the parents will be notified and must pick up the phone at the office.
3rd Offense:  Phone will be confiscated and taken to the principal and the phone will be kept for a period of thirty days.
4th Offense:  Phone will be confiscated and taken to the principal and the phone will be kept for the remainder of the school year.