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News Brief

July 3, 2025 |  By: Gavin McGough

Impacts of state legislation in local schools

No cell phone sign

KXCV News has been tracking the impacts of state legislation in local schools. Today, Gavin McGough has an update from the St Joseph School District.

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Phones are a big issue for parents, families, and now legislators. Eyeing the rise of social media, concerns over youth mental health, and the light-speed pace of online innovation, lawmakers are increasingly taking action to limit cellphones in schools.


Over 20 states already ban or restrict cell phones during the school day, and Missouri is poised to join them, after the recent legislative session.


Lara Gilpin, who recently retired from her position as Director of Secondary Education in St Joseph Schools, says their district has long banned cell phone use in elementary school.


For middle and high schoolers, however, the policy was a bit looser.


“Before school, students were able to use their phone, during the lunch day, they were able to use their phones, and after the bell.”


Gilpin added the school generally has allowed phone use during passing periods. With the new legislation, it will have to eliminate devices during lunch and begin enforcing student use as they move through the hallways. She is, however, optimistic.


“I think having it bell-to-bell at the secondary level will help considerably. As long as we are holding ourselves accountable in the enforcement of that policy, and supporting our students, and getting family support across the board.”

But, Gilpin admits, enforcement will be a heavy lift for staff, especially at the city’s largest high
school.


“When you have a movement of 1650 students through those hallways, that’s a challenge. That’s going to be a challenge at that particular [school].”


Other changes coming to Missouri schools involve a new requirement that home-schooled youth, or those seeking education outside the public school system, be granted access to sports and activities at their local district. Shannon Nolte, who directs Student Services for St. Joseph did not anticipate the change being an issue.


“We will have that student participate just as we would have any other student,” he said. “I don’t think there are any concerns about enrollment, or if they’re enrolled as a home-school student or a traditional student.”


All-in-all, the legislature passed bills impacting school safety, infrastructure, staffing, and, yes, cell-phones, during its session. In a controversial move, it also put state funding into the M-O Scholars program, which funds private education in the state.


But, from Nolte’s perspective in St Joseph, things are business as usual.


“There’s always adjustments, there’s always things we could do better, and we’ll continue to do that just as well always do. So I don’t think there will be a huge impact here.”