‘Off and out of sight’: Metro-east high school clamps down on cellphones

Collinsville High School students will return from summer break to a more restrictive cell phone policy.

The new policy, which the district’s school board unanimously approved Monday, limits when and where high schoolers can use their phones. It requires students to have their cell phones off and put away during instructional time, including study hall, whereas the current policy allows students to use their phones in class for educational purposes with their teacher’s permission.

Under the new policy, students also cannot use their phones during passing periods, another marked change from the current policy.

“The cell phone policy change was necessary to allow students to spend more time having conversations and interacting (in ways) that doesn’t include the cell phone and screen time,” Skertich said. “Plus, less distractions during the school day and class will positively impact academics.”

Students will still be able to use their phones during lunch and before school.

The new policy also adds language on Meta AI glasses. They can’t be in the building during the school day.

Middle school and elementary schools will not be impacted by the policy change, Collinsville Superintendent Brad Skertich said, as they already have the “off and out-of-sight” rule in place.

The policy change comes as a bill that would require school districts to create a policy that restricts cell phone use during instructional time, with some exceptions, moves through the Illinois legislature. It passed in the Senate and is now waiting for the House’s vote.

Skertich said the board has been looking to change its cell phone policy for roughly a year, before the bill was introduced. But the recent developments out of Springfield have propelled the board’s conversations forward, he said.

Skertich said the proposed policy has been discussed with the CHS Student Advisory Board, and high school administrators have been speaking with teachers and departments.

Along with the cell phone policy update, the board approved other handbook changes Monday.

These include clarifications on its attendance policy, revisions to the district’s mission statement and more.

The newly-approved policy edits are subject to change again pending more policy information and resources from the Illinois Association of School Boards.

This story was originally published May 21, 2025 at 6:00 AM.