A new Ohio law has prompted the Goshen Local School Board to update student cell phone usage guidelines for the 2024-2025 school year and beyond.
This update is due to House Bill 250, which was signed into law by Governor Mike DeWine, limiting the use of cell phones and other wireless devices in schools.
Goshen Local Schools agrees with the research behind the new law and with limiting the distractions that cell phone use creates for students.
With that in mind, below are the changes to Goshen cell phone practices and student handbook policies for the 2024-2025 school year.
Marr/Cook and Spaulding
Cell phones, wireless earbuds, and headphones are not permitted unless documented in a student's Individualized Education Program (IEP), 504 plan, or for a documented health concern. This is not a change and has been our practice for many years.
Middle School and High School
Students are permitted to have cell phones on campus. Students are not permitted to use phones during class time or to take phones to the restroom. The expectation is for cell phones and wireless earbuds/headphones/AirPods to be put away and silenced in the classroom unless documented in IEP/504 or for documented health concerns.
Students may access their devices before school, during lunch, and after school.
To ensure compliance with these guidelines, the following consequences will be enforced:
Consequence for violating cellphone guidelines
1st offense (Classroom) - warning provided and parent contacted by teacher
2nd offense (Strike 1 in Office) - phone sent to office, parent contacted, and student can pick up phone from office at the end of the day
3rd offense (Strike 2 in Office) - phone sent to office, device must be picked up by the parent/guardian, and conversation is had about the repercussions if a student earns Strike 3.
4th offense (Strike 3 in Office) - phone sent to office, device must be picked up by the parent/guardian, and the device is not permitted to return to the school building for a designated amount of time up to and including the rest of the school year.
Chronic abuse of cell phone privileges will result in appropriate disciplinary measures up to and including suspension from school.
Parents are asked to help their students by refraining from non-emergency calls or texts during the school day. If parents/guardians need to reach their student, they can contact the school office and the student will be notified accordingly.