School districts speak out on cellphone legislation

Tuesday, March 19, 2024 at 6:15 AM

Thanks to the actions of the Indiana General Assembly and the stroke of a pen from Governor Eric Holcomb, school districts across Putnam County will be dealing with the banning of any portable wireless device beginning with the start of the 2024-25 school year.
Holcomb recently signed Senate Enrolled Act 185, which bans "any portable wireless device" from classes. The measure will become state law July 1.

While the measure calls for the banning of wireless devices, they can still be used in a classroom if approved by a teacher to be used in conjunction with classwork, as well as being used to manage health issues.

South Putnam Superintendent Dr. Corey Smith said his district "proactively" overhauled its cell phone policy last summer.

"I believe that it meets the new legislative requirements. However, over the next few months, we will revisit our policy to ensure alignment with the entirety of the new legislation and forthcoming ISBA/IAPSS association guidance," Smith told The Putnam County Post.

At Cloverdale Schools, the handbook states that students can use their personal communication devices before and after school, during their lunch break, in between class as long as they do not create a distraction, disruption or interfere with learning, during after school events, or at school related functions. The use of personal communication devices, except those approved by a teacher or administrator, at any other time is prohibited, they must be turned off and completely out of sight.

Cloverdale Superintendent Greg Linton said he believes his district is compliant with SEA 185, but will have a more thorough review to confirm.