LISBON — The Beaver Local School District is considering a policy that would restrict cell phone use during the school day.

District Superintendent Eric Lowe brought up the matter during this month’s board of education meeting.

He said the district is currently looking into a cell phone policy for grades K-8 and that higher grades could be addressed later.

The matter is in the discussion phase only at this point.

He added that a “law on the horizon” would also possibly restrict cell phone use in any area during the school day.

Ohio House Bill 250, which was signed into law this week, requires all school districts to create a policy for cell phone usage during school hours. The policy must be created by July 1, according to the law.

The law does not require a complete ban but is targeted toward minimizing use as a way to lessen distractions.

“This, along with focusing on consistency in the district, may have phones not a part of the school day in grades K-12,” Lowe said.

Lowe added that the district is also continuing to monitor state changes that will have an effect on school funding.

“The district continues to keep a close eye on possible changes in how property tax funds schools, the budget, and other educational items which are currently being discussed in the Ohio Senate after passing through the House of Representatives,” he said.

He said there are many conversations happening that could impact districts, including budget carryover discussions.

According to the Ohio School Boards Association, Ohio House Bill 96 proposes a limit on district’s operating budget carryover, with a requirement that any carryover above the 30 percent threshold be returned to taxpayers. This would be done through property tax reductions.

The law passed the House in April and is awaiting a decision by the Senate.

In other matters, Lowe also said the district wanted to wish student Maureen Bone good luck as she is headed to Washington D.C. for the Scripps National Spelling Bee.

The district is also sending over 100 eighth-graders to Washington D.C. for the event.

Eighth-graders are also in charge of planning eighth grade recognition day, which is scheduled for May 29.

Lowe said the High School graduation ceremony will take place May 23 in the gymnasium.