By MIKE COURSON
Great Bend Post
In July 2023, the USD 428 Board of Education changed its cell phone policies for Great Bend schools, including a virtual ban at Great Bend High School. On July 1, 2026, House Bill 2299 implemented a similar rule state-wide. As the 2026-27 school year approaches, USD 428 has a question-and-answer page on its website to help clarify what the bill entails.
The Bell-to-Bell: Off and Away All Day policy includes cell phones, smartwatches, earbuds and headphones, tablets, smart glasses, and other personal communication devices. The devices may be stored at home, or powered off and stored in a vehicle parked on school property. At GBHS, students may use a Yondr Pouch, a magnetic bag that allows students to keep their phones in phone-free spaces, inside their backpack. Devices may be powered off and stored in lockers at Great Bend Middle School, or in backpack and cubbies at elementary schools.
The goal of House Bill 2299 is fewer distractions, better learning, improved engagement, increased safety, and more face-to-face interaction.
GBHS students will be issued a Yondr Pouch and must secure their devices in the pouch at the start of each day. Pouches will remain locked during the instructional day and can be unlocked at designated stations as students leave school or in the school office for students who are dismissed early. Middle school students who bring devices to school are expected to power them off and keep them in their locker for the duration of the school day.
Parents who need to contact their child throughout the school day are encouraged to call or email the child’s school office. Urgent messages may be delivered to students during the school day, or the student may be asked to come use the office phone. Otherwise, students may pick up notes in the office between class periods or after school.
While House Bill 2299 makes no exceptions for device usage during an emergency, USD 428 has plans in place to contact guardians, parents, or other emergency contacts via Skyward.
The bill does include an exception for students who need their device to manage a health issue, such as checking blood sugar. Parents are asked to contact their school nurse if their child has a medical need.
House Bill 2299 applies only to accessing devices while on campus during the school day. Accordingly, device use during school-sponsored activities, events, competitions, field trips, or other educational opportunities away from school will be determined by the supervising administrator, coach, sponsor, or other staff member.
CLICK HERE to view more information on USD 428 policy regarding House Bill 2299.