Pittsburgh-Area School District Bans Cell Phone Usage

PITTSBURGH, PA - Students in the Sto-Rox School District no longer are permitted to possess or use their phones in district buildings, on district buses and vehicles or during any time students are under the district's supervision.

Under a revised electronics device policy approved by school directors, students can bring their phones to school if necessary, but must turn them in to school personnel while classes are in session. In addition to phones, the policy applies to laser pointers and attachments and phone pagers.

Superintendent Frank Dalmas told KDKA-TV the ban was initiated because phones have become too much of a distraction leading to lost education time. He also noted that students have been taking pictures of district staffers and making derogatory comments about them on social media.

Sto-Rox is composed of students from Stowe and McKees Rocks.