School districts across the nation are banning the use of cell phones in classrooms.

Should Warren County?

It depends, frankly, on what teachers say.

Gary Weber, district superintendent, said the Warren County School District has been all over the map in recent years when it comes to cell phones in classrooms. The district’s current policy, in a nutshell, allows the superintendent or a superintendent’s designee to decide which devices are allowed in school.

Teachers can allow students to use cell phones in class if it is for an educational purpose – but otherwise the phones should be put away.

In response to a question from board member Tammi Holden, Weber said improper cell phone use hasn’t been much of a problem in recent years.

It’s entirely possible that smaller schools like those in Warren County may not have as big a problem with cell phones in class as bigger urban districts in Erie, Pittsburgh and Philadelphia. And, it’s entirely possible as our children get more used to the technology, they develop the ability to live without their device while they’re in class.

Either way this is a decision that should be driven by the district’s teachers. The district, in our view, shouldn’t over regulate cell phones unless they become a persistent problem in classrooms.