Toledo Public Schools became a cell phone free-school district in August, in accordance with Ohio House Bill 250. The bill mandates a cell phone-free policy for all Ohio schools beginning in January 2026. TPS opted to implement the changes with the new school year, which means that students do not have access to their cell phones or personal electronic devices during the school day. The TPS administration notes that “this legislation was driven by Governor Mike De Wine’s concern that cell phones are a significant source of distraction in classrooms and [that they] negatively impact student learning and focus.”
New procedures
TPS outlined the new procedure for parents and students:
- Comprehensive high schools and magnet schools will utilize Yondr bags where students will secure their phones upon arrival at school in a locked bag, which is unlocked when the student leaves the building at the end of the school day.
- K-8 buildings will use secure lockboxes for device storage. Students will check in their phones each morning and retrieve them at dismissal.
- Cell phone use infractions will result in disciplinary actions, ranging from phone calls home to school suspensions.
The district purchased Yondr pouches for use by all students at TPS high schools for cellular phones and smart watches, which are secured with a magnetic lock throughout the day.
Deputy Superintendent James Gant spoke about the new policies on a podcast shared on TPS’s social media platforms, including the early days of implementing the policy, from passing out the Yondr pouches to adopting new daily procedures. Listen to the full podcast at youtube.com/ watch?v=eggE6SlVVkU.
“We had to get them out to the students. That took some time. And then we had to work through the process. I’m excited to say that from a student acceptance perspective of students and behavior of students, it’s been extremely positive,” Gant explained, adding, “I’ve already heard positive things in terms of [effects on] instruction in the classroom.”…