District reports early improvement after cell-phone ban; superintendent says about 4% of students had phones confiscated in first month

Superintendent Dr. Elliott told the Cleveland City Schools Board of Education on Sept. 8 that the district’s newly implemented wireless-device policy — a campuswide phone ban at Cleveland High School and consistent enforcement across schools — has produced early positive results, including what he described as improved engagement and “a more positive atmosphere.”

Dr. Elliott said administrators and teachers reported that students were “more engaged and respectful” after consistent enforcement, and that many parents have supported the district’s approach. He added that some parents preferred staff retain confiscated phones for a period rather than immediately returning them. “Consistency is so important,” Elliott said.

Elliott provided initial confiscation counts by grade for the policy’s first four weeks and characterized the totals as about 4% of the student body. The board heard the superintendent say those counts included the high school grades with higher counts in upper grades; Elliott described the shift as part of students “getting used to this” and credited staff for consistent enforcement.

Student representative Lily Hakes, reporting from Cleveland High School, also told the board the change is becoming routine for many students. “People have gotten used to it,” Hakes said. “It’s created a lot of deeper connections with people… not having my phone in class helps me… to focus better in class.” Hakes said classmates reported increased social interaction and improved attention during instructional time.

Board members asked for ongoing updates. Elliott said administration will continue monitoring confiscation numbers, instructional impacts and parent feedback and will share periodic reports throughout the year. No formal policy change was proposed at the meeting; the board discussed implementation feedback and data from the opening weeks of the school year.

The board did not vote on the phone policy during the meeting; members asked staff to continue reporting to the board.

Quotes “Consistency is so important… administrators reported that that cell phone ban has transformed the school climate, for the positive atmosphere. The students are more engaged and respectful in that regard,” — Dr. Elliott, director of schools.

“People have gotten used to it… It’s created a lot of deeper connection with people… not having my phone in class… helps me to focus better in class,” — Lily Hakes, student representative, Cleveland High School.

The district will continue to report on enforcement data and instructional outcomes as the school year continues.