By Charles Young, The Exponent Telegram
CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Banning cellphones and other electronic devices in West Virginia’s classrooms could have some “real, real benefits,” said Gov. Jim Justice Tuesday.
The governor, when asked about a device ban that was recently enacted by the Ohio County Board of Education, said the decision to implement such policies should be left up to local boards of education.
“At the end of the day, those are local decisions,” Justice said. “I’m always fired up about giving people local control, and I think that’s good in lots of ways.”
Ohio County’s policy could serve as a model for other counties or as the basis of a policy for the State Board of Education to consider, Justice said.
“I love it that people are working it, and I love the fact that there could be local control that could maybe give us more insight,” he said. “I look forward to continuing the discussions, that’s for sure.”
The Ohio County policy applies to students in grades 6-12. Middle school students will not be permitted to use cell phones at all throughout the school day, while high school students will be restricted from using cell phones during classes.
