Wednesday, February 19, 2025
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Warren Schools To Testify On Cell Phone Restrictions

The Warren County Board of Education and Director of Schools Grant Swallows will testify in front of the General Assembly on the system’s cell phone restrictions.

Swallows said since the school board implemented the policy to increase restrictions on electronic devices, disciplinary rates have decreased from the previous year. Swallows said he and the school board being asked to testify is a reflection of some of the good work the school district has done with its policy.

“We look forward to the opportunity to go and we don’t quite have all those final details as of yet,” Swallows said. “But we look forward to the opportunity to go and share a little bit about what the work that’s been done in Warren County around this and hopefully be able to educate them as they seek to potentially draft statewide legislation.”

House Bill 13 will be considered by the legislature this term, with stricter rules on phone usage.

Swallows said Representative Scott Cepicky approached him and the school board to testify on House Bill 13, which would require school systems to implement stricter cell phone policies if passed.

Swallows said the date to testify is still unknown but until then he and the board are preparing for the opportunity the best they can.

“We know our policy pretty well,” Swallows said. “We know some of the things that the research that led us to this place and then in turn we need to be able clearly communicate that to the general assembly. Preparation will just be making sure we have all the data and have all of the information that they are gonna want.”

Swallows said based on experience he believes stricter cell phone policies would benefit other school districts. However, Swallows said he believes that the policies need to be flexible as not all school districts are the same.

“It’s tough for me to say that what’s good in Warren County is going to be good in Shelby County,” Swallows said. “I don’t know exactly what that is. One thing I would say to the general assembly is maybe put some particulars in the law that says this is a non-negotiable but give local school boards the opportunity to make the policy what fits for their school district.”

Swallows said he appreciates that lawmakers are reaching out to get opinions from people who are well-versed in a topic before passing a bill. Swallows said several organizations have asked the school board to speak at conferences throughout the state about their policy.

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