District Superintendent Veronica Motler says the goal is to finalize a plan before the first day of classes.
SYLVANIA, Ohio — Sylvania Schools is working to tighten its cell phone policy as districts across the state prepare to comply with a new Ohio law restricting student use of electronic devices during the school day.
The proposed changes were introduced during Monday night’s board of education meeting, though no final vote was taken. Under the draft policy, students would be required to keep their phones in lockers and would not be allowed to use them in classrooms, during lunch or in study hall.
Phone use would still be permitted between classes, on buses, during extracurricular activities and in emergencies with staff permission.
Superintendent Veronica Motley said the district has long had expectations around phone use, but the new legislation provides clearer structure for enforcement.
“The new policy definitely gives us more structure for our students to use their cell phones during the school day,” Motley said.
Some students, like Southview High School senior Sydney Sutton, aren’t convinced the policy will lead to significant change.
“They said the same thing last year, and it didn’t really happen in any but one class,” Sutton said. “I think it’s more of a respect thing. Go on your phone when you want to and don’t do it when a teacher’s talking.”
Motley said the district will reintroduce older communication methods, such as allowing parents to leave messages with the front office.
“That two-way communication will still exist,” she said.
Sutton’s father, Dan, supported the district’s intent, with some reservations.
“It’s a balancing act,” he said. “They need to be focusing on the classroom. They can’t be on the phone all the time. It’ll be interesting to see how they enforce it.”
The board also discussed the use of smartwatches. While no decision was finalized, members largely agreed students should be allowed to wear them as long as they are not used for texting.
Sylvania Schools hopes to finalize its policy ahead of the first day of class later this month.
