Franklin County school districts limit phone use after new Ohio law

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) – Franklin County public school districts are entering a new school year for the first time since Gov. Mike DeWine signed legislation regarding cellphone use in schools.

In May, DeWine signed House Bill 250, requiring every public school to adopt policies.. Although schools were asked to draft policies over the summer, they are not yet required to enforce them. Final policies must be completed by next July, ahead of the next school year.

“Local school districts will create the policies that work best in their environments and for their students, but the core mission of this bill is clear: minimize screen time during school time,” DeWine said.

However, many Franklin County districts are getting ahead of things. Although many school districts have had policies in place for a few years, districts like South-Western and Whitehall City Schools approved new policies this summer.

South-Western’s board passed a policy June 10. Students can use personal devices on the school bus, before and after school, during lunch and between classes. Any other time, devices must be silenced and kept out of sight. During afterschool activities, phones must be out of sight and powered off completely.

Whitehall City Schools approved a policy July 11 that requires devices to be turned off and kept in designated spaces throughout the school day, like their lockers. Grandview Heights passed a similar policy.

These policies are similar to many districts’ existing guidelines for phone use. Students at Bexley schools are instructed to keep their personal devices in their lockers or backpacks, a policy implemented back in 2019. Columbus City Schools, Canal Winchester and Upper Arlington have similar limitations.

“Students need an excuse to disconnect, and we are that excuse,” Bexley’s policy says.

Although districts can create their policies, DeWine released a model policy for schools, which prohibits any cell phone use at school. In the sample policy, it is recommended that students keep their phones in their backpacks or lockers. 

Some districts are going further and looking at creating a completely cell phone-free environment. Pickerington Local School District families received word that a new phone policy is coming, which would ask students to leave cell phones at home. However, Superintendent Chris Briggs said this was released incorrectly and has been removed.

Briggs said the board is revisiting its current policy. If it is approved, Briggs said, the "intent and the why" will be communicated to parents.

"Our goal is to reduce distractions, increase face-to-face interactions, enhance safety and privacy, and improve mental health," Briggs said.

Reynoldsburg students are not permitted to bring phones to school this year. According to district policy, students may only bring personal devices if their parents sign a Cell Phone Policy Form and get the exception approved. Even then, students must still turn off their phones and make sure they are stored not on their person. 

These are stricter policies than those previously celebrated by DeWine, such as Dublin City School’s requirement that phones are completely powered off at school, even during lunch. DeWine liked the policy so much, he signed the bill into law at Dublin’s Karrer Middle School. 

“Human contact is a need for all of us, no matter your age,” Dublin City School Board member Diana Rigby said. “These children have been through something that we could never even imagine that they would experience.”

Hilliard City Schools have a more lenient policy, allowing students to use them with instructor permission. Only sixth graders are required to leave their phones in their lockers. Westerville students also need permission to use their phones. 

Most districts offer exceptions for special circumstances, such as medical needs, which typically must be approved by a principal.