The Sylvania City School District Board of Education voted unanimously to approve an amended personal communication device policy after extended debate that stretched across the meeting. The approved language requires students to silence and secure cellphones during the instructional day, limits tablet/iPad use except for approved instructional exceptions, and allows smartwatches to be worn so long as they do not “create a distraction, disruption, or otherwise interfere with the educational environment.”

The vote followed more than two hours of discussion among board members, administrators and building principals about enforceability and classroom impact. Superintendent Dr. Motley presented the policy and asked for the board’s input; she told board members she would revise the draft again to reflect the changes discussed. "I will pull my drawing board again," she said, describing plans to work with board policy liaisons before finalizing exhibit language.

The debate centered on three issues: whether smartwatches should be treated like cellphones and required to be stored in lockers all day, whether tablets and iPads should be permitted (and under what conditions), and how to make enforcement clear and consistent for building staff. Several building administrators reported minimal problems during the first week of school. One principal said, "I haven't seen smartwatches become an issue," and described a single confiscation when a watch was actively used, not merely worn.

Board members who backed the stricter locker rule argued it makes enforcement straightforward for staff; members pressing for a limited smartwatch carve‑out said administrators had asked for wearable devices to remain on students provided they do not cause distractions. The approved amendments implement both positions: cellphones and tablets/iPads are to be silenced and secured in lockers during the instructional day except where an administrator has approved an instructional use; smartwatches and e-readers may be worn but must not be used for communication or create a disruption.

Administrators also described operational steps to support teachers, including GoGuardian monitoring for school-issued Chromebooks, a process to approve and log students who bring personal laptops (MacBooks or personal Chromebooks) that are required to be logged into school accounts, and standard classroom-level consequences for misuse. Dr. Motley said she will continue to monitor how the policy works in practice and revise it if new behaviors or workarounds arise.

The motion was brought forward as item 6.4 with the amendments discussed and was approved on a consensus/vote recorded in the meeting documents.