A new cell phone policy will be implemented at Cambridge High School when students return from the Thanksgiving break on Tuesday, December 3. 

The Cambridge Board of Education adopted a change to the technology section of the Student Handbook specific to the High School and Middle School during their November Board meeting. 

The policy states that “to support school environments in which students can fully engage with their classmates, their teachers, and instruction, the Board of Education of Cambridge City Schools has determined the use of cell phones by students during school hours should be limited.

“The objective of this policy is to strengthen Cambridge’s focus on learning, in alignment with the mission to ignite students’ passion for learning, cultivate a strong foundation of knowledge, and foster a sense of community within our schools.” 

The new policy, posted on the school district website as well as the High School and Middle School webpages, was officially developed after Ohio Governor Mike DeWine signed House Bill 250 into law effective August 14, 2024. 

HB 250 requires every school district in Ohio “to establish an official policy governing cell phone usage during school hours and aims to minimize student use of cell phones in K-12 schools. The new law seeks to address the distractions that devices can cause and the negative impact that these distractions have on educational outcomes, peer relationships, and mental health.”

Cambridge High School will be implementing the new policy ahead of the mandatory deadline of July of 2025. The Middle School implemented a similar policy more than three years ago. 

“Research indicates that the use of cell phones negatively impacts the academic performance and mental health of students,” Superintendent Dan Coffman said. “Cell phone usage is a topic that generates many conversations in our district and many other districts. 

“This new law forces school districts to implement cell phone policies,” Coffman added. “We are legislatively mandated to implement a policy limiting the use of cell phones in our schools.” 

The Cambridge cell phone policy permits students to use their cell phones before school, during lunch period, and after school. Students may not use their cell phones in the classrooms, hallways, and restrooms during the instructional part of the day. 

Students can keep their cell phones in a secure place, such as a locker or other safe place. They must be turned off and not put on silent or vibrate modes. Students may not check their cell phones between classes.

There are exceptions as students may use cell phones for a purpose documented in a students individualized education plan (IEP) and to monitor or address a health concern. 

Parents or guardians concerned about contacting students during the school day will be able to email students. Students can access their email through a district-provided Chromebook that every Middle School and High School student has been issued. 

Parents may also contact their students by calling the main office of the school. A message will be delivered to the student. If a student needs to contact a parent or guardian, they may come to the main office and request to use a phone. 

“Like a lot of policies being implemented and enforced this school year, this new cell phone policy will take some getting used to by our students,” CHS Principal Bob Baier said. “We will get some pushback from our students and probably from some of our parents, but the students will adjust, and I believe we will see impactful results.” 

The Middle School implemented a similar policy three years ago and has received a positive response from students and teachers. 

“I would estimate that most of our discipline issues revolving around cell phone usage decreased by 80 to 90 percent once we implemented this policy,” CMS Principal Heath Hayes said. “Our students responded well, and we received very little negative feedback from parents.” 

The new cell phone policy can be viewed on the School District website at www.cambridgecityschools.org under the student menu drop down. If you have any questions regarding the policy, you may contact the building principal.