The Green Ridge R-8 School District is adopting a policy banning the use of cell phones and smart watches during the school day to be in compliance with Senate Bill 68, which was signed into law by Governor Mike Kehoe earlier this summer.

The school district already had a similar policy in place limiting the usage of cell phones during the day, but with this new policy, “electronic personal communication devices” will not be allowed to be turned on or visible during the school day. Superintendent Jonathan Petersen says the other school districts he’s seen implement this policy have seen numerous benefits in the classroom.

Petersen says the district’s administration is still working on suitable disciplinary consequences for students who violate this policy. The final policy will be considered during the next school board meeting, which is scheduled for Tuesday, August 19.

The new policy will also be added in the district’s handbook. Petersen says he’s currently working to inform all the district’s students and parents of the new policy prior to the beginning of the school year on August 20. More information on the policy can be found on the district’s website, which we’ve linked with this story on our website at KMMO.com.