Ohio laws affecting school policies on cellphone access and AEDs

IRONTON, OH (WOWK) — Two Ohio state laws affecting schools are now on the books, putting an emphasis on student safety and limiting distractions in the classroom.

Both state laws are focused on technology but in different ways. The first looks to limit cellphone access in the classroom. Even though schools don’t need to adopt cellphone policies until July 2025, Ironton High School is already getting a head start this academic year.

“Teachers were noticing more and more often that many of our students were getting interruptions … unnecessary calls from home, calls from friends and things like that, and it was becoming a classroom disruption,” said Jeff Hairston, principal of Ironton High School.

Students at Ironton High School can expect changes to come this August. Hairston said cellphones will need to be silent or turned off in their lockers from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. However, there will be exceptions for students with medical conditions. Parents are also welcome to call the school office if they need to reach their children during the school day.

“We understand that being able to contact your son or daughter is very important and we are not trying to limit access,” Hairston said. “We want them to call, especially if it’s an emergency. We hope that they would not call, unless it is an emergency.”

Even though the cellphone policies aim to limit distractions in the classroom, Gov. Mike DeWine (R-Ohio) said the law also aims to minimize time on social media that could be damaging to students’ mental health.

Another bill that DeWine signed into law also focuses on student health by requiring AEDs in schools. Before the law, Ohio schools were not required to have AEDs. Not only will that change with this law, but all public and chartered non-public schools will be required to adopt their own emergency plan.

“Of course we would like to have more because they’re a valuable life-saving tool and it’s one of those things when you need it, you need it,” Hairston said. “I’m a big believer in that, in providing for the safety of both our students and our staff.”

According to Hairston, Ironton High School already has AEDs scattered throughout the school. He applauded lawmakers work to keep students and staff safe in more ways than one.

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