Olentangy Berlin High School students who pull out a phone at lunch or rack up six tardies this year could lose the right to play sports or join clubs.

The school began enforcing two policy changes for the 2026-27 year that took effect in August, Berlin's student newspaper, 3140 News, reported on Sept. 10. One carries out Ohio's statewide cell phone law. The other is a Berlin-specific tiered attendance system with escalating consequences.

Under the phone policy, students must keep devices silent and out of their hands the entire school day. That covers class, lunch, study hall and period changes. The student newspaper noted the school enforced a similar policy last year. Ohio's House Bill 250, signed by Gov. Mike DeWine on May 15, 2024, requires every public school district to adopt a policy limiting student use of two-way communication devices during school hours.

Staff who spot an unauthorized phone will confiscate it and log the incident in PowerSchool, the district's student information system. Parents receive a notification. The log does not appear on academic records or transcripts.

Exceptions exist for staff-approved use, emergencies and students with medical documentation showing a device is necessary.

Berlin student Ella Kunselman, a member of the Class of 2028, told the student paper the earlier enforcement changed the cafeteria. "When they enforced the law last year, I noticed that everyone became more talkative at lunch and it was easier to have a natural conversation instead of everyone glued to their phones," Kunselman said.

The attendance policy is separate from state law. Principal Benjamin Jagger outlined the tiered consequences at class meetings earlier this school year:

• First and second tardies: Warning and parent notification.
• Third tardy or hallway violation: Lunch detention.
• Fourth and fifth: After-school detention.
• Six or more: Wednesday school, Saturday school and loss of extracurricular privileges.
• Failure to improve: Possible suspension and parent meetings.

Staff have said they hope the system will reduce absences and tardies across the building.

Berlin serves roughly 1,500 to 1,800 students in grades 9 through 12, part of the Olentangy Local School District, where more than 24,500 students started the 2026-27 school year, according to 1808 Delaware.

No public review date for either policy has been announced.