Trustees heard a detailed briefing on December deadlines and practical impacts of a newly enacted state law that requires local boards to adopt policies governing student cell phones and personal communication devices.

The superintendent said the Ohio Department of Education has offered an interpretation of the law that broadens the definition of the "instructional day," and that guidance affects whether transition periods or lunch can be treated as non‑instructional time under local policy. "By January, we have to have a new policy in place," the superintendent told the board, urging trustees to review the state template and how it maps to the district's current approach.

The district's current policy already prohibits cell‑phone use during instructional time at the elementary and middle school levels, and allows limited uses at the high school (between classes and at lunch). Staff said those practices have worked locally but that ODE guidance may push toward stricter interpretation at all levels. Trustees discussed enforcement burdens if phones are confiscated — pouching and progressive discipline — and whether the district should maintain lunch‑time allowances and brief transition checks for parent communication.

Trustees also asked whether smartwatches are covered; the superintendent said the law applies to PCDs (personal communication devices), which can include watches, and that exceptions for medical needs, IEPs, and emergencies must be allowed. The superintendent noted educators may still use phones for instruction where a teacher documents the activity in lesson plans and that emergency communications should be reflected in the district's emergency operating plans.

Next steps: staff said they will bring a draft policy to the December meeting for board consideration and make the policy public as required. The board did not take a final vote; trustees encouraged staff to present options that balance compliance, equity and implementation workload.