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Ohio school districts are heading into a transformative year. With new state legislation and continued funding initiatives shaping everything from device usage to mental health infrastructure, K-12 leaders across the state are facing an evolving set of responsibilities. The 2025-26 school year won’t just be about keeping up – it’ll be about planning ahead, building compliance into every layer of operations, and keeping students safe, supported, and connected in line with Ohio school policy.
Whether you’re part of a large urban district or a smaller suburban system, Ohio’s latest policy changes are designed to impact how schools manage technology, protect student data, and deliver equitable support services. For district leaders, the key will be balancing compliance with practicality, and finding ways to implement new policies in a manner that’s both scalable and student-first.
What’s Changing for Ohio School Policy in 2025-26?
Cell Phone Bans: SB 158
Effective Fall 2025, all K-12 districts must prohibit student cell phone use during school hours, with limited exceptions for health, emergencies, and pre-approved learning needs. Districts must develop clear enforcement procedures, update handbooks, and integrate device policies into emergency protocols.
Student Data Privacy & Protection
While no new state laws have been introduced, Ohio districts are under growing pressure to audit vendor contracts, review data governance policies, and ensure transparency with families. FERPA and COPPA remain foundational, but families and policymakers increasingly expect clear usage disclosures and access controls.
Internet Safety & Cyberbullying
Cyberbullying and digital conduct continue to be governed by existing sections of the Ohio Revised Code. Districts are required to deliver staff training, maintain reporting systems, and incorporate restorative responses. Schools are also expected to deliver proactive digital safety education to students.
Technology-Based School Safety: HB 33
Ohio has allocated ~$11 million in school safety grants through the Attorney General’s office. Districts can apply for funding to implement tools like panic buttons, threat detection technology, and emergency communication systems. These funds are part of a broader infrastructure push to modernize rapid-response capabilities.
Mental Health Technology Services
There is no new legislation in this area, but federal and state-level funding is still available. Districts are encouraged to continue building out school-based mental health services, including staffing, teletherapy access, and early intervention systems. Combining ESSER, formula, and SchoolSafety.gov grants can support sustainable implementation.
Parental Rights & Technology Oversight
A national push for tech transparency is influencing expectations at the state level. Ohio districts should prioritize family engagement infrastructure – such as digital behavior alerts, student activity dashboards, and real-time wellness updates – as standard components of a safe and transparent learning environment.
Download the 2025-26 School Readiness Guide
To help district and school leaders stay ahead of these shifts, we’ve created the 2025-26 School Readiness Guide: a national resource designed to help K-12 decision-makers align their practices with the latest legislation, safety mandates, and student wellness priorities.
The guide includes six key focus areas:
- Cell phone bans & digital distractions
- Student data privacy & vendor accountability
- Campus & physical safety
- Online safety & digital wellbeing
- Responsible AI readiness & usage
- Community-centered student support
Each section includes a clear checklist and action items to follow, making the guide easy to reference and implement.
You can download the guide for free here.
Further K-12 Guidance & Support is Just a Click Away
At Securly, we’re proud to support 2,004,266 students across 572 schools and districts in Ohio. From Cincinnati Public Schools and Toledo City Schools, to Westerville, Dayton, Hamilton, and Reynoldsburg City Schools, we’re trusted by districts of all sizes to help create safer, more connected, and more future-ready learning environments.
Whether you’re responding to new policy, evaluating your safety and wellness tools, or looking for expert support, our team is always here to support you along the way.
To learn more about Securly, visit our website.
For regularly updated Ohio school policy information, bookmark the hub.
To discuss your school and its needs for 2025-26 with one of our experts, schedule a call.
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