At the start of the school year, Lakewood High School students were informed of a phone policy that would be implemented gradually following the passage of Ohio House Bill 250. Signed into law by Governor Mike DeWine in May 2024, the law aims to reduce phone use and distraction in schools.

For the first semester, the phone policy stated that students could only use their phones in the hallway and during lunch. On Jan. 1, 2026, House Bill 250 went into full effect, and Lakewood High School students thought there would be a full phone ban.

It is well known that cellphones in the classroom cause major issues and create significant distractions that many students cannot afford. The state decided, under pressure from outside sources, to create a standard for all districts to limit cellphone distractions. The state mandate requires districts to adopt policies that “…emphasize that student cellular telephone use be as limited as possible during school hours” and “…reduce cellular telephone‑related distractions in classroom settings,”(Ohio Rev. Code § 3313.753, 2024).

On July 1, 2025, all Ohio schools were required to have a written phone policy. On Jan. 1, 2026, the law prohibits phone use during the instructional day, but Lakewood decided to continue its first-semester policy.

In the parent email sent out on Dec. 19, 2025, parents and students alike were made aware that the current cell phone policy would remain, confusing students who had been warned of a stricter policy coming in the second semester.

“We felt that the ban in the classroom was something that we wanted to keep based on the House bill. However, it did allow us still some flexibility, and our superintendent believes that our kids should have some use of their cell phones in some ways, so this was kind of like our compromise on that,” said Joy Morgan, principal of Lakewood High School.

The Ohio Department of Education and Workforce (ODEW) interprets education laws and sets guidelines for schools on how best to comply with those laws and provide students with the best learning environment. Many people interpret the law as mandating a full phone ban, but there is some flexibility given to schools and districts when it comes to their own policy.

This is where confusion arises; the law does not require a full ban, but the ODEW’s interpretation includes guidelines for a full ban on cell phones during the instructional day at school.

Lakewood High School has decided to continue the current cell phone policy because it is working well and allows students some freedom. “I’m still using the same policy I had before, which was that students aren’t allowed to use their cell phones in class unless otherwise specified, and students have been very respectful in my request, so you don’t have challenges. I think we have mutual respect, and there’s been zero problems this year,” said Edward Holmock, teacher in the Westshore Project Lead the Way program.

The administration must be very cautious in its decisions because it is difficult to tailor them to more than 1,000 students, faculty, and staff. Although the phone policy never went into effect as a full ban, many teachers still support it due to excessive student phone use.

The majority of students also support the current phone policy. They have better focus, fewer distractions, and a clearer mind. “I mean, I’m someone with ADHD, so my phone’s definitely a problem, and I go on it a lot less now. There are so many productive things you can do with your free time, even if you’re not doing anything in class,” said Lakewood High School senior Wyatt Crouch.

Students are also proponents of the school’s current policy, given rising safety concerns in schools, making students feel it’s necessary to be able to contact emergency help and parents if ever put in a dangerous situation.

There are consequences if students do not follow the policy. If students fail to keep their phones in their backpacks, they will have their phones confiscated for the day and be referred to their house office for having their cell phones out.

While a full ban might have certain benefits, the current policy is here to stay. The policy will remain in place as the school administration continues to assess its benefits.