Last week, Ohio Governor Mike DeWine signed House Bill 250, which requires every school district to establish an official policy regarding cell phone usage during school hours and aims to minimize student cell phone use in K-12 schools. In Oakwood Schools, we have an adopted Board Policy that provides our expectations and guidance on cell phones as well as other personal communication devices: Board Policy 5136.

We also provide this information in our student handbooks:

Elementary Handbook: 

• ELECTRONIC DEVICES - All electronic devices, including cell phones and smart watches, that are brought to school must be kept in the backpack and turned off at all times, unless under the direction of a staff member as part of a lesson or assignment.

Junior High & High School Handbook:

• WIRELESS COMMUNICATION DEVICES - Wireless communication devices are permitted in the building and may be used in the classroom when requested by the teacher for educational purposes. If not approved by the teacher, wireless devices should be turned off in the classroom.

Similar to state and national trends, we are seeing a rise in the number of students distracted from learning and personal interaction due to engagement on devices. The Governor hopes that, by limiting these distractions, students will be able to think deeper, engage in their learning, and create even better connections with their peers and staff members.  

Governor DeWine shared information at a press conference last week about the relationship between phone usage on social media with our youth and their mental health and well-being.  Our staff would also agree in seeing an increase in the number of students exhibiting anxiety and mental health needs as well as bullying and harassment.  

The Ohio Department of Education and Workforce will develop a model policy for districts to review.  Oakwood Schools partners with Neola to review and update district policies based on changes to state and federal laws, so we will also work with them to review our current policy and determine what changes may need to be made.  Schools are required to adopt their cell phone policy no later than July 2025, so we have time to be thoughtful in what decisions are made and how they will be communicated to staff, students, and families.