Seattle Public Schools officials previewed a new districtwide policy limiting student cellphone use at Wednesday’s School Board meeting.

The district is looking to prohibit student cellphones in all elementary schools, enforce an “away for the day” policy at middle schools and require high school students to have their phones away during class, unless a teacher specifically grants permission to use phones during instruction.

District officials said the policy is still in the works and will evolve as they gather community input. Their goal is for the policy to take effect at the start of the 2026-27 school year.

The policy would not require School Board approval, unless “any part of the revised procedures would conflict with existing (School Board) policy,” said School Board President Gi

See Full Page