New cell phone policy passes for Ohio County Schools students

ELM GROVE, W.Va. (WTRF) – Students at Ohio County Schools will be back in the classroom this week, and they can expect new rules when it comes to their cell phones.

The Ohio County Schools Board of Education passed a county-wide policy that would prohibit all students in elementary, middle and high school from using their cell phones bell to bell.

Each classroom will have pouches that students will be required to place their devices in at the start of class and they will remain there for the duration of that class period.

Superintendent Dr. Kim Miller emphasizes that this is not a punitive policy, but one that will benefit everyone during school hours.

”We want to be able to teach our students self-discipline. We want to teach our students to know respectful communication between their teachers and their peers. So, having this policy in place would help them – Our teachers be able to teach, and our students be able to put that cell phone away. Again, this is self-discipline, and this is a way we can support our teachers so they can do their best work, and our students can get as much information as possible.”

Dr. Kim Miller – Superintendent, Ohio County Schools

Students at the high school level will have access to their cell phones before and after school, as well as between classes and during lunch.

This was a policy that has been looked over and adjusted several times after feedback from teachers before being passed for the 2024-25 school year.

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