ASHLAND — Ashland High School changed its cell phone policy last summer following teacher feedback about students’ use of personal devices, principal Josh Packard told the school board.
The policy change would still allow students to use personal devices before and after school, at lunch, in-between classes and potentially in study halls.
But, phones would be prohibited during class time.
“We want their focus to be on their teachers and what they’re learning, and so their cell phones and personal electronic devices need to be out of sight during those academic classes,” Packard said.
According to a 2023 report from Common Sense, 97% of students used their electronic devices during school hours. The report found that usage varied, with students logging anywhere from less than one minute to six and a half hours, for a median of 43 minutes.
Typically, though, governing the usage of those devices falls under the purview of individual school or district policy, as with Ashland High School’s handbook changes last summer.
However, on May 15, the state of Ohio became the latest to wade into setting requirements for cell phone usage in schools as Gov. Mike DeWine signed House Bill 250.
(Below is a PDF of the bill’s text. The section discussing cell phone policy begins on page 10.)
The bill, which passed both the state Senate and House unanimously, required school district boards of education to adopt “a policy governing the use of cellular telephone by students during school hours.”
House Bill 250 states policies should emphasize limiting student cell phone use as much as possible during school hours. It also states new policies should “reduce cellular telephone-related distractions in classroom settings.”
The state posted a model policy districts can adopt, or districts are allowed to create their own, so long as they’re in keeping with the stipulations outlined in the bill.
Districts whose policies already fit the new requirements won’t have to change their respective policies either.
Ashland County districts’ policies
Ashland Source reached out to superintendents from each public school district in the county regarding the new legislation.
Superintendents from Ashland City Schools, Hillsdale Local Schools, Loudonville-Perrysville Exempted Village Schools and Mapleton Local Schools shared each of their districts did have policies on the books regarding cell phone usage.
Districts don’t have to adopt new policies in line with House Bill 250 until July 1, 2025. So, current policies are likely to remain for the next school year. Each district’s current policy does limit cell phone use during class time.
Ashland City Schools
Ashland City Schools Supt. Steve Paramore said each building in the district has board-approved cell phone policies.
At the high school, which saw changes to its policy approved by the board last July, students are permitted to use their personal electronic devices before school, during class changes, during lunch and after school.
Depending on students’ grades and behaviors, they may be able to use devices during study halls or Arrow time. In class, device usage is prohibited without teachers’ permission.
Ashland Middle School’s 2022-2023 student handbook states students “may not use personal communication devices during school hours.” Phones are to be stored within lockers on silent mode.
The handbook does state that, in individual circumstances, students with medical conditions may receive exceptions.
The district’s elementary student handbook for 2023-2024 requires students’ cell phones to be turned off and remain off once they enter the school building. Phones should be kept within backpacks or lockers.
For elementary students, those rules extend to school transportation.
Hillsdale
Supt. Catherine Trevathan, of Hillsdale Local Schools, said Hillsdale’s current handbook includes a cell phone policy. She shared that policy:
Since our focus at Hillsdale School District is on academic achievement, the use of cellphones and/or any electrical device is limited to before school begins, when seated in the cafeteria during the student’s lunch period, after school hours, when given permission to be used by an administrator, teacher or staff member and when a teacher announces/requires the use of any electronic device in the classroom.
Loudonville-Perrysville Exempted Village Schools
Jennifer Allerding, superintendent of Loudonville-Perrysville Schools, said the district is in the process of updating its handbooks.
The district has discussed moving to a no cell phone policy for all grades in all areas, Allerding stated.
“I believe that most educators understand the negative impact that cell phones bring to the school setting,” Allerding stated. “It is important that our students disconnect so they are engaged in learning, socializing, and being present.”
Its current cell phone policy states students in grades 7-10 aren’t permitted to have cell phones turned on or in use during the school day.
Students in 11th and 12th grades can use their phones in the cafeteria during lunch or in hallways between classes. In the classroom, teachers have discretion over phone usage, the handbook states.
(Below is a copy of Loudonville-Perrysville Exempted Village Schools’ student handbook. The cell phone policy is on page 14.)
Mapleton Local Schools
At Mapleton Local Schools, the district’s cell phone policy prohibits students from using “electronic communication devices” during instructional time without authorization.
(Below is a copy of Mapleton’s policy.)
Like Loudonville-Perrysville and Hillsdale, students are allowed to use their devices outside of instructional time. That includes before and after school, or during lunches.
Mapleton’s policy also states students are allowed to use devices on school buses and other district transportation.
But, students are also required to follow guidance issued by teachers, administrators, bus drivers, coaches, advisors or other supervisors.
Supt. Scott Smith said the district would work with its legal counsel to determine any revisions it needs to make to its policy following further guidance from the state office of education and workforce development.
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