TOLEDO, Ohio (WTVG) – Toledo Public Schools announced its plan to have all classrooms become a cell phone-free starting in the next academic year.
The district plans to use YONDR pouches for students at its comprehensive high schools and magnet schools. The pouches lock phones inside them when they are closed. They can’t be opened again until they are tapped on an unlocking base.
K-8 buildings will have secure lockboxes where students will check their phones in each morning. They can retrieve them at dismissal.
“We understand that this is a significant change, but we are confident it will help create a more focused and engaging learning environment for all students,” the district said in a social media post. “Additional details regarding implementation, expectations, and procedures will be shared in the coming weeks.”
The district said the change is in “direct response” to Ohio House Bill 250. The legislation required districts to create a policy governing the use of cell phones by students during school hours by July 1, 2025. The law didn’t require districts to ban phones during the school day.
But by 2026, all Ohio school districts will be required to adopt new policies that go a step further.
The state’s two-year budget recently signed into law by Gov. Mike DeWine requires each school district in Ohio to create a policy banning cell phones during the school day. They have to adopt those policies by Jan. 1, 2026.
The new law suspends the cell phone ban during an active threat or emergency. Each public school administrator will also be required to establish a protocol addressing cell phone use during an active threat or emergency.
The bill also includes an exception that allows cell phone use for student learning or to monitor or address a health concern. It also requires a school to allow a student to use their cell phone to monitor or address a health concern if they receive a written statement from their doctor.
The Toledo Public Schools website now includes Frequently Asked Questions page addressing emergencies at school. Below are the initial four questions on the page, along with the answers from TPS.
Q: What if I want to reach my child during the school day?
A: We want our students to be engaged in their learning. If you need to contact your child during the school day, contact the main office.
Q: What if there is a school emergency?
A: Use of wireless communication devices during certain emergencies can make situations more dangerous, and students must carefully follow the directives of school personnel. TPS will use the school’s public address (PA) system to communicate with students during emergencies.
Q: Will my student’s phone be safe?
A: Students are in possession of their phone in their YONDR pouch for the entire school day.
Q: What if the YONDR pouch gets damaged or a student is caught on their phone?
A: The YONDR pouch is property of Toledo Public Schools. If a student damages their pouch or is caught on their cell phone, it will be handled according to the Code of Conduct, which can be found in the (insert TPS policy/guide).
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