[{"_1":2,"_100":-5,"_101":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6586256,"mediaKeyId","5548420-b81c79cdc92add360bad0c01dcebf616","parentId",5548420,"title","Olentangy presents first reading of state-mandated personal-communication-device policy; parents, staff told of limited exceptions","audioSeconds",518,"startMs",3076000,"endMs",3594000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5548420-b81c79cdc92add360bad0c01dcebf616&start=3076&end=3594","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5548420-b81c79cdc92add360bad0c01dcebf616/thumbnail_3076000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6586256/Ohio/Olentangy-presents-first-reading-of-state-mandated-personal-communication-device-policy-parents-staff-told-of-limited-exceptions","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6586256-0a6125e4b2934d4e0f9c56371b5f366d/orig.mp4?Expires=1770450648&Signature=BiB3V0HRF8Uck5nGbCmsKO6x8AmgPx5cHuOJqZC9d616HEqSc7nFVI1lL3L9QlLe3gKS4XArqsNTDwyLxgDG2lo2FayG3UIaYyp9xDzhfU~gJJtSjZrdfR1TzCR6-amSPydC4Vhdckvwp8quddF2sUvYidxrEOkyBhLS2x6wNpU90DbekXhkebaKnvLpkvRdZq3b6O-LOEc5cl9Dk91pOsIcRm2rNenqHYWBZgOSFmbYMXVz85hTRmyz8v2vM5CRbUrsPnZkjG~dgrKR8TpWy3ZnQ24p-rwnLn0pQtBIRfFTkqRJVU0yI4hNSX00x3avE0PLg8EMOJPpQhvRi9CbwQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Olentangy Local","date","2025-08-07T01:30:55.393Z","article","At the Aug. 5 meeting the Olentangy Local School District’s policy committee presented a first reading of a replacement personal-communication-device policy required by the Ohio budget bill (House Bill 96) that restricts student phone use during the instructional day.

Dr. Feddy, who presented the policy language, told the board the draft narrows allowable use to specific categories permitted under the state law. Under the proposed policy, “students may not use their phones, watches, or other devices for calling or texting during the day unless one of the following” applies: a teacher or administrator authorizes the device for instructional purposes; the student’s IEP or Section 504 plan permits it; the student has documentation of medical necessity from a medical provider; or an active emergency is underway. The policy places enforcement in the student code of conduct and calls for progressive discipline beginning with verbal reminders.

The presentation described how the district will use existing communications tools to limit disruption: every school office and classroom phone remains a primary point of contact and the district will continue to use ParentSquare for urgent messages such as bus delays or canceled after-school activities. Dr. Feddy said the district will begin with reminders and warnings at the start of the year before moving to disciplinary steps.

Board members asked about uniformity across schools, use during athletic or other extracurricular events, and accommodation procedures. The committee discussion noted buses and after-school events as exceptions where supervisors can set rules (drivers may allow phones unless they create a safety hazard). The policy also calls out that devices with two-way communication capabilities (for example certain smart watches) are included in the prohibition unless one of the permitted exceptions applies.

The board treated the item as a first reading and Dr. Feddy said the administration will return for a second reading and adoption at the next regular meeting. In the meantime, staff will communicate the new rule set at convocation and to parents before the first day of school so the district begins the year with consistent expectations.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Olentangy Schools, Board of Education 8.5.25","oneSentenceSummary","The board received a first reading of a replacement personal-communication-device (PCD) policy to comply with state law; the policy prohibits student calling/texting during the instructional day except for teacher-authorized instruction, IEP/504 accommodations, documented medical necessity or active emergencies.","taxTitle","Olentangy Local, School Districts, Ohio","taxId",14476,"location","Ohio","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6586262,"Olentangy board reaffirms ‘no new millage’ pledge as it advances $235 million bond proposal amid rapid growth",2078,2112000,4190000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5548420-b81c79cdc92add360bad0c01dcebf616&start=2112&end=4190","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5548420-b81c79cdc92add360bad0c01dcebf616/thumbnail_2112000.jpg","/articles/6586262/Ohio/Olentangy-board-reaffirms-no-new-millage-pledge-as-it-advances-235-million-bond-proposal-amid-rapid-growth","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6586262-30b906b91857d8d2ba69c3cc0b2560a4/orig.mp4?Expires=1770450648&Signature=RnmVOjJSEktpf45vDNOaJpI7zOpUTcM~oTvqNX029MwhOZXPZS9PAQUlL0kLvHOnX0susr3Z960EshIVskbfQUJTJ2aiAVK5MawUJ4piKFVwOBeptSyXYxpdUxHiG2BPbh~Q033fAW~QflJraL7YVFn5SQ4y0UbXhaysO9i6tiSSGRPm8wKHsOeV4Oo5jRvsl2UaVPayrd8S6M28XQbF05go-A-Z6r3oFTgucz627bzlIXHJVuGnwc5blW1zq1Bufd1cGsbxAmXgbkUpFJjqbJFQOAnuLsJC5cdTZuH4b-8yKdT91Z8o5Q4trMgy47FhisBv9QOWtrz97divvEnpsg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","At its Aug. 5 meeting the Olentangy Local School District Board of Education discussed a proposed $235 million bond issue to fund a new high school and an elementary school and approved a resolution affirming the district’s pledge that the ballot measure will not require “additional” millage for taxpayers.

Treasurer Mister Jenkins explained the district’s finance calculations and told the board that existing collections from the district’s 6 mills will, based on current forecasts, cover both the district’s existing debt service (about $33.9 million in principal and interest in calendar 2025) and the additional first-year debt service tied to a $235 million bond (about $9.5 million). “We will not have to collect any of that 1.77,” Jenkins said of the tax rate calculation that must appear on the ballot under Ohio law.

Superintendent Javier Meyer and facilities staff presented long-term enrollment projections the board has used to justify new construction. Meyer said the district is on track with forecasts and reiterated that the board voted to put “no new millage” bond language on the November ballot after a special meeting. The presentation showed projected enrollment growth across grade levels over the next decade, with districtwide projections that the student population could level off “a little over 32,000” by about 2042. Meyer highlighted immediate pressure points at several elementary schools (including Indian Springs and Liberty Tree) and at Berlin High School, where enrollment is projected to exceed capacity in coming years.

Jenkins and other staff discussed how property valuation growth and reappraisals increase the revenue side of the millage calculation. Jenkins cited the district’s roughly $7.2 billion taxable valuation forecast as a key factor that allows the district to advertise the bond as “no additional mills” even though Ohio Revised Code requires ballot language reflecting the calculated millage rate (1.77 mills for the new borrowing, in isolation).

Board members and staff noted trade-offs for delaying construction—construction costs and the scale of future projects may rise—and emphasized that the board will continue discussing facilities and redistricting as enrollment changes. Meyer said the board plans to proceed with community outreach and repeated that he wants residents to ask questions and use the district’s information page.

Votes at a glance: the board approved the treasurer’s slate of consent items (commercial paper and bankers’ acceptance report; minutes from July 9 and July 24; and a resolution setting the millage limit so no additional mills will be collected) by roll call; it then approved the superintendent’s consent slate (personnel items, transportation routes and stops, declaration that transportation is impractical for certain students, and a resolution of intent not to provide CTE in grades 7–8) by roll call. All recorded votes on consent slates were unanimous yeses.

No OFCC funding was identified for new construction: Jenkins told the board the Ohio Facilities Construction Commission (OFCC) has not awarded state construction funding to the district because the district’s equity ranking is low, meaning Olentangy has received zero state facility-construction grants for new schools.

The board convened into executive session later in the meeting and adjourned after returning; no substantive action items were taken in executive session.

","Treasurer and superintendent told the Aug. 5 board meeting that current property valuations and the district’s existing 6-mill debt levy can cover projected debt service for a $235 million bond; the board approved a resolution to set the millage limit at no additional mills.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6586267,"Olentangy highlights expanded SRO team, new interagency training and safety protocols ahead of school year",1523,383000,1906000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5548420-b81c79cdc92add360bad0c01dcebf616&start=383&end=1906","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5548420-b81c79cdc92add360bad0c01dcebf616/thumbnail_383000.jpg","/articles/6586267/Ohio/Olentangy-highlights-expanded-SRO-team-new-interagency-training-and-safety-protocols-ahead-of-school-year","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6586267-0f4c4711f4ee46b97eb991b5dfe096f5/orig.mp4?Expires=1770450648&Signature=jUih246W5WVb8yWv64aLzjTaMt4Zew53UgBRGwqbzi3b8avEZxQsCGDXkmjBdjgYgqK2b8b9-v5fHDcVspgEA918qNgRCbBgJgEVCtuL5GpwgReZgo5msUmRH01WAS4k0M57Xn5wMBNFAZpnpTaz-3ZNPIR5Nb9-zrjQ-JGnpuLHC08CefBTkJd4FGArCg5Md1caHUG5Z4gTo1BPg9MJbvp3Y-lHFdOzQPf2K6iZqFesCR2xUqfVz5xavPH-jdY3Zgn1whsV998nRV77K7bO7W1tMGTFcQpeIJLD-8vCjOVPQ7saKMH~lnwfe1qduQgz7XqXRw4iW2SfV92rSzFVMw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Olentangy Local School District Board of Education on Aug. 5 heard a safety briefing from district safety staff and Delaware County law enforcement ahead of the start of the 2025–26 school year, including introductions of new school resource officers, descriptions of a new “rescue task force” training and a reminder about the district’s incident communication protocols.

The presentation, led by Joe Suozzi, the district’s director of safety, security and preparedness, and Delaware County Sheriff Jeff Foster, emphasized the size of the district’s safety presence and the interagency training that will continue this year. Suozzi noted the district’s relationship with county law enforcement and listed new and returning school resource officers assigned to Olentangy schools.

Sheriff Jeff Foster described a recently piloted rescue-task-force model that brings medics into a “warm zone” protected by law enforcement so they can render care before a situation transitions to a fully cleared scene. “If you think about it, the most important thing for any of us in our community is our children,” Foster said, explaining the training’s goal of faster, coordinated medical response during active incidents.

Suozzi told the board the district runs regular training sessions timed before the school year, including an active-aggressor presentation for new staff and a bus-safety drills day for drivers. He described Safety Town, a recurring event for incoming kindergartners that partners the district with the sheriff’s office and fire department.

District and law-enforcement speakers also sought to set expectations for parents about communications during incidents. Suozzi and district leaders emphasized the use of the district’s standard incident messaging protocol—differentiating a routine “hold” from a lockdown—and asked for patience while officials verify facts. Suozzi said the district distributes an explanatory document to parents that spells out protocols and that “secure 1… we’re pretty much in a secure all day long,” meaning exterior doors are locked and only certain internal changes to building operations trigger additional action.

Board members and administrators thanked the sheriff’s office for its partnership and described after-action reviews the district uses after incidents to identify improvements.

No formal board action was taken on safety staffing at the meeting; the board heard the status update and trainings as informational items.

","At its Aug. 5 meeting the Olentangy Local School District hosted county law enforcement and reviewed school safety staffing and new rescue-task-force training while urging patience in communications during incidents.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Olentangy presents first reading of state-mandated personal-communication-device policy; parents, staff told of limited exceptions

Olentangy board reaffirms ‘no new millage’ pledge as it advances $235 million bond proposal amid rapid growth

Olentangy highlights expanded SRO team, new interagency training and safety protocols ahead of school year