U.S. school districts manage new cellphone bans and rising diesel costs

U.S. school districts are navigating several operational challenges as the new academic year begins. In Ohio, all schools are entering their first full year under a bell-to-bell cellphone ban for students. Norton City Schools has also implemented ‘No-Tech Wednesdays,’ a policy requiring both students and teachers to set aside devices for one day a week to focus on instructional practices.

Simultaneously, rising diesel prices are straining school budgets nationwide. With diesel costs up nearly $2 per gallon compared to last year, many districts are facing significant deficits. The Yakima School District in Washington state estimates a 38% increase in fuel costs, prompting measures such as consolidating bus routes and staggering bell times to mitigate the financial impact.

In Columbus, Franklinton High School has reported a 30 percent reduction in chronic absenteeism over the last three years. The charter school has utilized strategies such as providing transit services to help students attend classes more consistently.