FAYETTE COUNTY, WV (WOAY)- Fayette county Board of Education has instated a new policy that bans cell phones at school.
Students in grades K-5th grade will not be allowed to bring a phone to school at all. Students in 6-12th grade will be allowed to bring the phone to school, however the phone will have to remain in their lockers during the school day.
This policy comes after Governor Morrisey signed House Bill 2003 into law, which gives the schools across the state the power to implement their own cell phone policies. This is due to cellphones being a distraction in the classroom.
“I don’t think people understand that cell phones are addictive. They are very addictive. Those in Silicon Valley in California who created all this will not even let their children have it. So what does that tell you? It’s very addictive,” explained David Warvel, the future Superintendent of Fayette County Schools. “There’s plenty of research that says depression starts creeping in. We have higher suicide rates now with young children, not just teenagers. I’m talking about elementary children. So we are concerned about their safety.”
However, this new policy has received backlash from parents and students because they are concerned about safety.
“Sometimes somebody might want to jump somebody and they want tell their parents to pick them up and they can’t because they ain’t got their phone,” explained Zyrell and Isaih, Students at Fayette county schools. “because it could stop a lot of fights and stuff. If they need to call, their parents like to pick them up.”
“I don’t like it because if I like have a big emergency and you need it you can’t. You have to leave the classroom and go in your locker. And if they don’t let you in there,” said Kaden and Jaxon, students at Fayette County Schools.
Although incoming superintendent Warvel says that the school’s communications systems should help ease worries. This is because all schools’ phones are connected and there’s a text system to make parents aware if issues arise. Students not having phones will not impede on their safety.
“We want parents to understand that their children’s safety is our main concern,” said Mike Dickerson, a school officer with Fayette County Board of Education. “And on top of the cell phone bill and the things that we’re putting into place with the cell phones, parents will be notified if there’s an emergency that involves their child or the children, like, for example, if there’s an active shooter situation, parents will be notified.”
This new policy will be implemented this coming school year. We’ll continue to track this story and you updated.
