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Worthington board to gather teacher, parent and high‑school student feedback before revising cell phone policy
Summary
Superintendent Dr. Bowers told the Worthington City Board of Education the district will run separate surveys of teachers, parents and 9–12 students after Labor Day and bring results to the policy committee ahead of a July 2025 policy deadline.
Superintendent Dr. Bowers said the district will conduct separate surveys of teachers, parents and ninth‑through‑12th‑grade students early in the school year to gather qualitative input before the board’s policy committee considers any change to the district’s cell‑phone rules.
Dr. Bowers told the Worthington City Board of Education on July 22 that the district published a blog post titled “What Are We Doing About Cell Phones?” and plans “for early September survey engagement of teachers, parents, and ninth through twelfth grade students” so each group’s feedback can be shared publicly and reviewed by the policy committee.
Board Vice President Kelly Davis asked whether the policy committee would see results after the surveys. Dr. Bowers responded that the plan is to “get those results, share that publicly with the whole community, share that with the board of education and then bring the policy committee together to begin those conversations” about whether to codify current practice or make changes.
Dr. Bowers told the board the district has “by law until July of 2025 to have to have passed policy,” and said any change that affects school operations would include a transition plan. He repeated the timetable several times, saying the district intends to start the school year under existing procedures and run the engagement after Labor Day so input is not lost among August activities.
Board members emphasized that the process should center on those most affected. Dr. Bowers said: “This is a conversation that is one where a parent of a student needs input into this process. Obviously, students have student needs input into this process. Obviously, students and teachers need input.”
No formal board action was taken at the meeting; the item was presented as a plan and next steps for committee work and public engagement.
Board members said they expect the policy committee to review survey results and bring any recommended changes back to the full board for consideration.
