Westerville City Schools on Monday approved a personal-communication-device policy that reflects restrictions in the recent state budget bill and that prohibits most student use of personal phones and similar devices during the instructional day.

A staff presenter told the board that the policy change comes from the state budget bill and that local practice is being aligned to the state guidance. “The change in this policy and our procedures are a result of mandates from this particular budget bill and not something that we unilaterally decided to do on our own,” the presenter said. The district’s implementation date in the statute is Jan. 1, but administrators said implementing at the start of the school year is preferable to making a midyear change.

Administrators explained specific allowable exceptions: written documentation from a physician; device use specified in a 504 plan or individualized education program (IEP); classroom‑teacher permission for instructional purposes (for example, device translation for English‑learner students); and emergency use when allowed by safety protocols. The presenter gave the example of English‑learner students using phones as translation tools and said that use would continue under the instructional exception.

Board members asked about e-readers, tablets and devices that are not primarily communication tools. District staff said they are convening principals and student leaders to clarify how electronic readers, handheld gaming devices and similar items will be treated and will communicate guidance to families once finalized. “We are really trying to define for our students whether because the bill really is intended for cell phones and personal communication devices, but we are trying to provide clarity,” a staff member said.

The board approved the policy in its regular agenda. District communications staff said principals and teachers are actively informing families of the rule and that administrators have already begun reinforcing expectations in buildings.

Adoption of the policy follows statewide guidance from the Ohio Department of Education and related budget-legislative language; the district said it will publish detailed local procedures for devices that fall near the policy’s edges.