PARKERSBURG, W.Va. (WTAP) – New West Virginia and Ohio state laws are in place regarding cell phones and personal devices being used by students during the school day for this upcoming school year.
Students are banned from using personal devices in all area school districts.
In West Virginia, state code §18-2-46 requires students to store devices in their backpacks, lockers, or another place determined by local school districts.
These devices must be completely powered off, as well.
The Ohio law, which was passed last year and took effect this summer, required school districts to create policies regarding cell phones and electronics. It urged districts to ban students from using personal devices throughout the school day.
Both Marietta and Belpre City Schools have banned the use of cell phones and personal devices for the upcoming school year.
Belpre City Schools was the first local district in Ohio to ban them last year.
Jeffrey Greenley, Superintendent of Belpre City Schools, said the results last year were great.
“We saw excellent results last year. We felt like students were happier. A number of our referrals went down, campus climate improved. We were very excited about the impact last year. We were thrilled to see the legislature take the steps this year, and look forward to another great year with a campus phone-free policy,” Greenley said.
The new laws in both states do have some exemptions. They do not pertain to devices issued by the school districts.
Students are also able to use personal devices if they are used to monitor their health or if it is documented in a student’s IEP or 504 plan.
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