WAVERLY, Ohio — Beginning this upcoming school year, Pike County Career and Technology Center will implement a new policy prohibiting the use of cell phones on campus, in compliance with Ohio’s latest education guidelines. The district recently announced on their official Facebook page that it will introduce lock boxes for student phones, following the state’s directive aimed at minimizing distractions in classrooms.
“In accordance with the new ODE cell phones in schools policy, we are implementing lock boxes for all student cell phones. Each student will have their own box/cubby and key to securely store their phone throughout the day,” the district stated.
According to the outlined procedure, students will be required to deposit their phones in designated boxes each morning and retrieve them at the end of the school day.
The state’s initiative, supported by Ohio Governor Mike DeWine and Lt. Governor Jon Husted, seeks to create a more focused learning environment across schools statewide. The policy, mandated to be adopted by all Ohio schools by July 1, 2025, aims to minimize disruptions during instructional time.
Ohio’s Department of Education and Workforce acknowledges the potential benefits of reducing cell phone distractions in classrooms but also encourages schools to consider how technology can enhance student learning and address health concerns.