Carmel schools test bell-to-bell phone restrictions

The phones went away, and the hallways got louder. In his superintendent report, Dr. Ostrike told the board that early feedback on the new bell-to-bell cell phone rules has been mixed but clear. Students at Carmel High School said cafeterias and hallways feel more social, with more face-to-face conversation and fewer classmates focused on screens. During the first six days of school there, the district logged 23 cell phone-related events, which Dr. Ostrike described as a sign that students are adjusting.

Students are already finding workarounds. Dr. Ostrike said he has seen wired headphones and older devices show up in place of internet-connected phones and wireless accessories, including a Walkman cassette player, Discman CD players, iPod shuffles, an old Game Boy, and a handheld Yahtzee game. Schools have added board games and other lunch activities, and middle schools are looking at expanding those options after students finish eating.

The harder part is logistics. Students told district leaders that it is tougher to track last-second schedule changes, find friends during passing periods in a large building, and keep up with club communication that once ran through social media. Some said losing phone access during SSRT or study hall makes it harder to finish work during the day, pushing more of it home. Dr. Ostrike said middle schools have reported few issues, elementary schools have not had phone problems, and the district will keep monitoring the rollout and looking for practical fixes.

The board took the next formal step toward a possible bond issue. Mr. Mcichael asked members to approve a resolution allowing the district to publish notices for two public hearings, part of what he described as a six-month process tied to facilities work and capital needs such as technology and buses.

To frame the discussion, Matt Parkins of Policy Analytics walked through district debt and tax comparisons. He said Carmel Clay Schools' 2026 school corporation tax rate is 84 cents per $100 of taxable assessed value, compared with a statewide average around a dollar, and described that rate as competitive. He said Carmel net assessed value is about $12 billion and estimated the district raises about $2,500 per student for debt service.

Board members stressed that the vote did not approve borrowing. They said the hearings are meant to gather public comment for and against the proposal, and that it would make little sense to hold them if the decision were already settled. Members asked for clearer public detail on the project list, including technology and other categories, and Mr. Mcichael said more information will be provided as the process continues.