Ohio School Cell Phone Ban Enacted at the Start of the 25-26 school year
This past August, Ohio Governor Mike DeWine signed into law House Bill 250. This act requires public schools (school districts, community schools, STEM schools, and college-prep boarding schools) to adopt a policy governing the use of any electronic device by students during school hours. Whitmer is adapting to this law by enforcing an “off and away” policy.
“For the most part students have been doing a really good job keeping their cell phones put away. Now that we’re in the 5th or 6th week of school, students have had some…issues having their phones out lately. Hopefully that’ll end and they will continue to follow policy,” WHS dean Mr. Brown shares.
If students do not follow policy, depending on the offense, a Whitmer Device Confiscation Form needs to be filled out. This form shows not only a refresher of the Ohio policy but also the Whitmer policy. Filling out this form indicates that a device has been confiscated and a parent/guardian needs to come pick up said device. The student fills out this form until your parent/guardian picks up your device and then will need to sign their signature.
At the beginning of the 25’-26’ school year a board approved policy was shared in a presentation to Whitmer staff explaining the new cell phone rules and PCD (personal communication device) updates. Included in the presentation was a step-by-step on how a staff member should confiscate an electronic device.
“Student fills out confiscation form; teacher fills out referral, Place item in envelope and staple form to envelope…Turn door sign to indicate ‘pick up needed’”
Whitmer already had a strict device policy in the 24’-25’ school year and according to the 24-25 Whitmer Student and Family Handbook, “[s]tudents will be permitted to use their personal electronic/communication devices during the following times as long as they do not create a distraction, disruption or otherwise interfere with the educational environment:
Before and after school, during their lunch period, between classes (during travel time), during after school/extracurricular activities and at school-related functions.”
The 24’-25’ policy also stated that students had certain times and places they could use electronic devices. As of the 25’-26’ school year though, there have been changes.
New policy for the 25’-26’ school year also outlines that “all cell phones and personal devices (including smartwatches, iPads, etc.) must be powered off and out of sight in a locker, backpack, or purse from 7:25am – 2:35pm. Students may not use devices during breakfast, passing periods, class time, lunch, restrooms, locker rooms, or assemblies.”
The modified board policy adheres to the new state law and outlines consequences for breaking that law. The goal is to deter bringing the equipment in the building by mandating students caught with any electronic device on their person (body, bag, or immediate physical possession) will be asked to hand over the device(s) to a teacher or staff member.
While this is the policy, it is not without nerves and reservation.
“From the perspective of a teacher. I really don’t like being in control of a $900 cell phone, that’s somebody else’s property. However, you do take that chance when you bring it into the building, you know it’s not allowed,” English teacher Mr. S. Becker reflects.