ASHLAND — The Ashland City Schools Board of Education passed a personal communication device policy Monday night that will prohibit high school students from using their phones, smart watches or other devices during school hours.
Students will still be allowed to carry the devices with them and are allowed to use their phones in the event of an emergency or to monitor medical conditions.
The cell phone restriction goes into effect immediately.
“Hopefully our parents — that we appreciate very much — out there in the community can understand what our legislator is asking of us and of our students and of our staff within regards to personal communication devices,” Supt. Steve Paramore said.
The policy responds to Gov. Mike DeWine approval of Ohio’s operating budget on June 30, which included a measure restricting phone use in schools.
The board also updated the student attendance policy, which will now include increments for how Ashland City Schools address truancy and chronic absenteeism.
- After 30 hours of missed school, students receive a letter from the school.
- After 48 hours of missed school, students, parents, teachers and other involved parties meet for an intervention.
- After 72 hours of missed school, the school will pursue court intervention.
The board also recognized Ashland City Schools students of the month, which recognized 11 students from across the district’s schools.
The students recognized this month were:
12th-grader Haley McNaull from Ashland High School.
First-grader Samir Abdelkader from Reagan Elementary School.
Second-grader Harrison Meziere from Edison Elementary School.
Fifth-grader Cali Keegan from Taft Intermediate School.
Cheyenne Strese from Encore.
Sixth-grader Landyn Lora from Ashland Middle School.
Seventh-grader Madison Sebek from Ashland Middle School.
Eighth-grader Chase Carpenter from Ashland Middle School.
Ninth-grader Camryn Wires from Ashland High School.
10th-grader Will Benjamin from Ashland High School.
11th-grader Hunter Smith from Ashland High School.
Each student received a gift cards to Downtown Perk, Ohio Fire and South Street Grill.
