HOPKINSVILLE, KY (CHRISTIAN COUNTY NOW) – One year after Christian County Public Schools complied with statewide legislation banning phone use by students, the impact of this strict policy is reflected on behavioral data.
Dr. Kim Stevenson, Director of Student Services, presented data during the July CCPS Board of Education meeting that breaks down student behavior infractions for the most recent school year. This data revealed an overall increase by 695 infractions in the district.
In the 2024-25 school year, the district recorded only 39 behavioral referrals related to personal electronic devices, which increased to 790 this past school year after House Bill 208 was instated prohibiting the student use of cell phones in Kentucky public schools. This is about a 1,925% increase in device related infractions.
“While House Bill 208 resulted in an increase in student discipline referrals, it also had a positive effect on instruction by reducing classroom distractions and increasing instructional time,” said Dr. Stevenson to the board, also sharing shared that the violations were fairly even between both of the high schools.
The other four most frequent behavior infractions were related to destructive behavior, failure to follow directives, profanity, and biting/hitting/kicking. Compared to previous school years she said behavior infractions had consistently decreased up until the 2026-26 school year. However, if infractions related to House Bill 208 were not included, a decrease would have been reflected again in behavioral infractions.
Phone policy for 2026-27 school year stays the same
Going into the new school year, CCPS will retain the same cell phone policy they had for 2025-26 that was put in place to be in compliance with House Bill 208. This includes pones, smart watches and headphones.
The bill reads, “The policy shall, at a minimum, prohibit a student’s use of a personal telecommunications device during instructional time, except during an emergency, if directed to do so by a teacher for an instructional purpose, or if authorized by a teacher.”
High school students will continue to be required to place their devices inside Yondr pouches at the start of every school day, which are unlocked when instruction has concluded for the day.
Middle school students are expected to keep their phones in their lockers at their advisory classroom, while elementary age students must keep them in their backpack or cubby.
Last fall, leadership at schools completed phone sweeps as students passed through the metal detectors. Students without devices display a discreet sticker signaling to teachers that they do not need to be checked for a pouch. Staff also completed device sweeps during class where an indicator was placed outside of the classrooms if a device is present, prompting intervention from a staff member.
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