Seven of the 11 local school districts in Knox County have adopted policies governing student cell phone use during school hours, as mandated by Ohio law. These policies must be in place by July 1, 2025.
According to a media release by the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce, four of the Knox school districts plan or have already eliminated student cell phone use throughout the day. This move aligns with recommendations from Ohio Governor Mike DeWine and Lieutenant Governor Jon Husted. The districts include Clear Fork Valley, Danville, Fredericktown, and Loudonville. Meanwhile, Centerburg, East Knox Local, Mount Vernon City, Northridge, and Utica permit cell phone use only during limited times.
The media release further states that approximately 61% of schools and school districts that responded to a survey have adopted formal policies. Two-thirds of these respondents indicated they implemented such policies at the start of the current school year. The majority reported that cell phone use will be restricted to select times during the school day (45%) or prohibited entirely during school hours (41%). Some districts have had similar policies for several years that either approached or met state requirements.
Additionally, one in six respondents requested assistance in communicating expectations to students and parents. An equal number sought help with discipline or alternatives to discipline within their policies. Some districts also asked for guidance or financial support for services related to cell phone collection and locking.
The media release notes that Centerburg, Clear Fork Valley, Danville, Fredericktown, Mount Vernon City, Northridge, and Utica have adopted their respective policies. East Knox, North Fork, and Knox County Joint Vocational School District are finalizing preparations for their policy implementations.