Should school phone bans be changed? Parents share ‘mixed feelings’ amid safety concerns

IRONTON, OH (WOWK) — Following a school shooting in Georgia last week, parents are questioning some school districts’ decisions to ban cell phone usage during school hours.

Ironton City Schools is one of many that have implemented a new cell phone policy this school year.

Ironton High School Principal Jeff Hairston says their policy prohibits phone usage from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. and students will be required to leave their cell phones in their lockers.

Some parents say they were for the policy change when it went into effect. However, those like Ironton City Schools Grandparent Mary Dufore, they say they’re now having mixed feelings following recent events.

“I like the idea of the kids having their cell phone for safety reasons, but yet I know it can be an interference with classroom work,” Dufore says.

Hairston says even with recent events, the policy will remain in place. “Safety is our number one concern. Our goal is not to cut off access of students to their parents, but to cut down on distractions during educational hours,” Hairston says.

However, parents like Dufore say they want to know their loved ones are okay.

“I know me as a grandparent, I’d want to know and I’d probably be right at that school, finding out what’s going on,” Dufore says.

13 News Reporter Lane Ball asked Dufore if she felt the policy should be reviewed later on. Her response was “Definitely, the more of these school shootings that take place, I think we have to change with the times.”

For now, the policy in Ironton City School District stands, but Hairston says it’s not set in stone.

“For me to say that there will be no changes would, obviously not be correct and so, yes, I would expect updates and policy changes as life changes around us,” Hairston says.

Hairston has also been meeting with the school district’s superintendent regarding their current safety plan and if any updates would need to be made. So far, no changes have been made.

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