Local school districts discuss cell phone policies and why certain policies are in place

DAYTON, Ohio (WKEF) – Most Miami Valley school districts have been back in class for a week, and cell phones should be less disruptive this year since the state has required all districts to adopt a cell phone policy.

Dayton 24/7 Now reporter Jenilee Borek spoke with the superintendents of Dayton Public Schools (DPS) and Kettering School District, and both told her that their districts had cell phone policies in place before they became law.

Each of these districts has completely different guidelines.

“It’s simple: Cell phones need to be turned off and put away. They’re not out. They’re not a distraction,” said Mindy McCarty-Stewart, superintendent of the Kettering School District.

“Students come by, drop off their cell phones in the morning and pick them up at night, or should I say we drop them off at night,” said Dr. David Lawrence, superintendent of Dayton Public Schools.

School has started again and cell phone rules apply.

This is the first year the state has required school districts to have a cell phone policy. The state has issued a model policy to serve as a guide for districts.

The Dayton, Kettering and Miamisburg school districts all say they had policies and procedures in place before the law went into effect.

McCarty-Stewart said the district has not changed its policy; rather, it has taken the new law as an opportunity to reflect.

“We see this as an opportunity for a national discussion to improve what we do,” McCarty-Stewart said. “We’ve focused more on clarity in the student handbook to really bring the discussion into focus.”

Some students will have to adapt more than others.

While districts like Kettering and Miamisburg require that cell phones be put away (Kettering added that they should be turned off), other districts like DPS and Beavercreek take away students’ phones (though Beavercreek only does this at the high school level).

Lawrence explained why the district will continue to take away students’ cell phones.

“Turn it off, put it away… There’s a lot of freedom in turning your phone off and putting it away,” Lawrence said. “I have to say, cell phones can be addictive for young people, and sometimes they don’t disobey. (…) You just have it in your hand and you don’t know how it got there.”

Lawrence said students have adjusted well during the years the district has enforced its policies.

“I just don’t see the kids really talking about it now,” Lawrence said. “So if we’ve already done that, it’s like they’re getting back on the bike and riding. It’s kind of preparing the kids for that process.”

McCarty-Stewart said a less extreme approach worked in Kettering.

“We do not believe our students in Kettering need any further restrictions in the form of having their cell phones locked away,” McCarty-Stewart said.

She explained why the policy has not changed.

“Our students are doing a really great job of self-regulating and making sure they stay really engaged in class,” McCarty-Stewart said.

While neither district has fully revised its policies, both school superintendents said the districts have worked to clarify the policies in their handbooks and communicate more with parents and students about expectations.