In May 2024, Ohio Governor Mike DeWine signed HB 250 designed to limit cell phone use by students in schools. According to the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce (DEW) website, the purpose of this new law is "to minimize student use of cell phones in K-12 schools." Currently, school districts have some latitude on how the minimization will be enacted and enforced, but the intent of the law is clear that student cell phone use is to be restricted.
At West Geauga, we do not have problems associated with student cell phone misuse to the same degree that some other school districts are experiencing. However, we do see clearly the negative social and emotional effects of cell phone usage by students. Accordingly, our principals and teachers have recommended limitations on cell phone use that are consistent with the intent of HB 250 and that reflect the maturity levels and the needs of the students in their buildings. Those limitations are contained in the buildings' Student/Parent Handbooks.
The elementary handbook is relatively unchanged from previous years. Students whose parents permit them to have cell phones are expected to keep them turned off, in their backpacks and stored while at school. Students who violate this rule will have their cell phones confiscated and released only to their parents or guardians.
The high school practice is also the same as in previous years. Unless permission is granted by the teacher, cell phone use is prohibited during instructional time. (In some situations, cell phone use may be incorporated into a particular classroom exercise and allowances are made.) Some teachers require students to place their cell phones in a cell phone storage unit that hangs on the wall inside the classroom door. In other situations, high school students keep cell phones on their person but turned off and out of sight during instructional time. High school students may use their cell phones for appropriate purposes during non-instructional time such as study halls, lunch, and class changes. However, if a student leaves the classroom to go to the restroom, that student's phone is held by the teacher until the student returns.
If middle school students bring cell phones to school, the students are required to store them in their lockers during the school day. Cell phones are not permitted in classrooms, hallways, or lunch. This is being done to minimize student misuse of phones during those times. Such restrictions are being enacted to protect both the student victims and student perpetrators of cell phone misuse. (In many cases, students who misuse cell phones find themselves in trouble with both school officials and law enforcement.) The middle school administrators and teachers believe that many middle school students lack the maturity to avoid misuse of cell phones during lunches and hall exchanges. If a middle school student needs to reach a parent by telephone during the school day, office phones are available. Middle school students also have the ability to email their parents from their Chromebooks. (If you are unable to send and/or return an email from your child's Chromebook, contact Scott Amstutz at scott.amstutz@westg.org and he will address the situation for you.)
We want to bring these expectations to parents' attention prior to the start of the 2024-2025 school year. If you have specific questions related to student cell phone use, please contact your students' respective school offices for clarification.