The first day of classes in Eufaula begins today (Thursday, Aug. 14).

There are an estimated 1,145 students enrolled for the 2025-26 school year, according to Superintendent Monty Grider.

Almost all the students have one thing in common – no cell phones or other electronic communication devices.

E.T. may no longer phone home, except in an emergency.

In May, Gov. Kevin Stitt signed into law a bill that prohibits the use of smart phones, smartwatches, smart headphones, personal laptops, tab- lets and smart glasses.

Most students are now disconnected, at least during school hours.

According to an article by the on-line publication Oklahoma Watch, while the bill mentions a bell-to-bell ban, it allows for some leeway in special circumstances.

In an emergency, students may use their cell phones, and those who use smart devices to monitor health conditions also have an exception.

Senate Bill 139 reflects a statewide effort to eliminate distractions and refocus classrooms on instruction and student well-being.

The policy is designed to maximize instructional time and keep students more engaged in the learning process.

Supporters of the law across the state have echoed that sentiment, arguing the ban will reduce classroom disruptions, foster stronger student engagement, and improve mental health by minimizing exposure to social media and cyberbullying.

Districts that had already implemented similar policies have reported fewer behavioral issues and stronger classroom structure.

Checotah Intermediate School Principal Ryan Ambrose said the law addresses two of the biggest challenges schools have faced since the pandemic: student attendance and engagement.

“For several years, especially since the pandemic, the two hurdles in education that have been student attendance and engagement,” Ambrose said.

Across Oklahoma, educators, students, and parents will be watching closely to see how the bell-to-bell policy affects classroom dynamics. While opinions vary, the new law marks a bold step toward reclaiming focus in public education and creating more structured, distraction- free learning environments.

The issue was on the agenda of a recent meeting of the Eufaula Public Schools Board, held on Thursday, Aug. 7 instead of its regular day of Monday, Aug. 11. The change was necessary because of teachers’ meetings and all of the other activities that began on Monday.

Guthrie said the Board simply accepted the policy.

“Basically, it’s just that you can’t have your phone out or on – no visibility, it’s to be put away or left in your car,” he said.

The schools won’t have a specific area where students must leave their devices.

“We’re not going to go around and collect them every day. It’s your responsibility to leave it at home, leave it in your car, keep it turned off or keep it outside,” he said.

There was a time when cell phones were simple devices and schools did not object to their use in helping students’ study.

But today’s phone capacities have exploded. They have access to every type of information, good and bad.

“All of a sudden, your cell phone had every function you could possibly need,” Guthrie said. “I really think just the growth of social media and everything, you can do with the cell phone now what you couldn’t before. And throw in artificial intelligence, you can tap your telephone and it listens to what the teacher’s asking then it gives you the answer.

“It’s just gotten so advanced it has gotten to be a major issue.

“Just the student’s ability to stay focused, as long as that phone is on and near them, is very difficult.”

Guthrie doesn’t see the bell-to-bell law as being a major issue for his district.

“We’ve done a pretty good job trying to control cell phone access and use, during educational hours anyway. So, I don’t see it being a big deal,” he said.

Another mandate from the state that has some impact on school budgets is the requirement that every student in each district gets free lunches.

Eufaula Public Schools already have that benefit.

“We are still on the community eligibility provision, which means all of our kids will eat breakfast and lunch for free,” he said.

Other business

In other business at the board meeting, the resignation of Athletic Director Johnny Bohannon was accepted.

Prior to coming to Eufaula, he taught at Okemah High School for 17 years.

He came to Eufaula in 2007 to coach football and to serve as Dean of Students.

In 2012, he became assistant principal at the elementary school.

In 2022 Bohannon stepped down from his principal’s position and solely served athletic director. State Aid

Eufaula schools will receive $5,270,278.67 in state assistance this year.

Teachers

The faculty is almost fully staffed.

“We still have several emergency certified teachers, but a lot of them were second and third year,” Guthrie said. “We’ve been working with them and developing them and they’re turning into really good teachers.

“We only hired five teachers this year, so our turnover was really, really low.”