Worthington board to align student phone policy with Ohio Senate Bill 158 before school starts

The Worthington Board of Education on Aug. 4 approved policy updates that the district says mirror newly enacted Ohio Senate Bill 158, which the superintendent said prohibits student use of cell phones in schools. Superintendent Dr. Trent Bowers said the change will primarily affect high school students and the district will emphasize in-person interaction, using messages such as “phones off, friends on” and “disconnect to connect.” Board members discussed whether smartwatches should be explicitly covered in the policy across grade bands. Board member Amber Epling Skinner noted that smartwatches are common among middle- and high-school students and asked whether the elementary rule on smartwatches should be extended; Dr. Bowers said the district will pass the policy as written and continue the smartwatch conversation with teachers and potentially place further language in handbooks or a future policy amendment. The board approved the Neola-recommended policy updates in a roll-call vote during the meeting; the vote was recorded in favor and the motion carried. The district plans to begin school on a staggered schedule in mid-August; Dr. Bowers said the board wanted policy alignment in place before students return. No details on enforcement procedures or disciplinary steps beyond the policy alignment were given during the meeting.