FR will review cell phone rules

Ohio school districts are now required to establish cell phone policies and follow certain criteria.

Fort Recovery Local Schools already has such a policy in place, but some revisions could be necessary. Fort Recovery School Board heard about the new state requirement during its meeting Monday.

Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine signed House Bill 250 in May. The new law stipulates every Ohio school district must establish a policy regarding cell phone usage during school hours by July 2025.

According to a press release from Ohio Department of Education and Workforce, the law “requires that all districts place an emphasis on limiting cellphone use and reducing cellphone-related distractions in classrooms.” Exceptions are included for students monitoring health concerns or students using cell phones for learning as determined by school officials.

Ohio Department of Education and Workforce published a model policy earlier this month for districts to use as a guide when crafting their own cell phone policies. It prohibits students from using cell phones or similar devices on school property during school hours and requires students to keep their devices in a “secure place,” such as their locker or backpack.

Ohio Department of Education and Workforce has also published a toolkit with resources for school administrators, teachers, parents and students to review in relation to cell phone usage in schools. (It’s available at bit.ly/Ohio-Schools-Cell-Phones.)

Fort Recovery Local Schools superintendent Tony Stahl explained Monday the district already has a policy regarding personal communication devices. He noted plans for administration to review the policy this summer and follow recommendations from educational policy consultant firm Neola in the fall and spring as necessary.

Also Monday, Stahl noted a few projects being completed amid cleaning efforts this summer. Paving work is slated for portions of the parking lots at both Fort Recovery Elementary/Middle School and Fort Recovery High School. Gyms will be resurfaced, and additional slots in the gym floor at the high school will be installed to allow for more volleyball nets to be utilized.

The new bell and intercom system will also be integrated at the high school this summer. Fort Recovery Local Schools received a $33,562 grant earlier this year to replace its outdated paging equipment with a two-way communication system, allowing the main office and classrooms to engage in conversation. The district’s match toward the project being completed by SecurCom of Minster is $11,187.

The school board also OK’d bumping substitute pay up to $110 per day and $120 after 10 consecutive days. (Previously, substitutes made $100 per day and $110 after 10 consecutive days on the job.) Stahl suggested the increase at the board meeting in May, noting other nearby districts have recently raised their rates in similar fashion.

In other business, school board members Sean Kahlig, Don Wendel, Nick Wehrkamp, Greg LeFevre and Mitch Fullenkamp:

•Heard a review from athletics director Aimee Potkotter about the 2023-24 school year. Approximately 255 students participated as athletes, with 46 receiving all Midwest Athletic Conference honors, nine receiving All-District honors and one receiving All-State honors. She noted plans to begin competing in the Southwest District next school year, as well as plans to use a new program, Coaches Tool Chest, for new coaches to become certified.

•Approved the following: an agreement with Rehabilitative Services for athletic trainers, physical therapists and other personnel to be available to Fort Recovery Local Schools from July 1, 2024, through June 30, 2025; a five-year lease beginning July 1 with Fort Recovery Athletic Boosters for the track and football facility at $1 per year; Rick Kremer as the Fort Recovery Local Schools representative on the Tri Star Advisory Council for a two-year term beginning July 1; middle school and high school sporting event admission and ticket prices as established by the Midwest Athletic Conference and season ticket prices for the 2024-25 season; the bus driver handbook and athletics handbook for the 2024-25 school year; participating in the federal Free and Reduced Price Lunch Program for the 2024-25 school year; contracts with freshman volleyball coach Dawn Willmann and non-teaching employee Tony Rogers for the 2024-25 school year; changing Susan Pugh’s work assignment from part-time elementary/middle school cook to part-time high school cook effective Aug. 1; Fort Recovery High School varsity baseball to attend the state baseball tournament at Canal Park in Akron, Ohio, retroactive to June 8 and 9; employing a list of van drivers and substitute bus drivers as needed.

•Authorized treasurer Deanna Knapke to enter into a $55,106 agreement with Stolly Insurance for school liability, bus fleet and property insurance for the 2024-25 school year starting July 1 and approved renewing liability insurance for eligible school groups  at $70 each for one year. (School board is reimbursed by the groups.)

•Hired Kasey Vogel as a fifth grade teacher, effective Aug. 1, for the 2024-25 school year.