Cell phones out, “In God We Trust” in for West Virginia schools
By Autumn Shelton, RealWV
SHINNSTON, W.Va. – Gov. Patrick Morrisey signed two bills into law on Tuesday, one effectively banning cell phones in the classroom and the other requiring that public schools and state higher learning institutions display the U.S. motto “In God We Trust.”
House Bill 2003, requested by Gov. Morrisey, states that county boards of education shall develop a cell phone use policy prior to the start of the 2025-2026 school year. That policy must state whether or not personal electronic devices, including Smartwatches and portable gaming devices, will be allowed on school property. If personal electronic devices are permitted on school property, the policy must provide a procedure for storage of the devices during the instructional day.
Additionally, the bill sets forth certain exemptions that would allow a student to carry their personal electronic device during instructional time, including medical orders, requirements of an IEP or 504 plan, or to meet requirements of a county board of education approved work-based learning program.
Lastly, the bill requires that county boards of education include consequences for students who have violated the policy.
During a bill signing ceremony at Lincoln Middle School, Morrisey said that House Bill 2003 would help “make a difference” in the classroom by keeping distractions away from both students and teachers.
“We know West Virginia has many educational challenges and we know we’re working on them,” Morrisey said. “West Virginia has been ranked low nationally in key metrics such as educational attainment, teacher pay and literacy. These are all things we have to work hard on.”
He continued that the state’s success depends on educational attainment.
“I am optimistic about our future,” Morrisey continued. “I think we are in a position to build a better state so that our kids and grandkids are gonna have better educational opportunities and better professional opportunities.”
“In God We Trust”
Senate Bill 280 requires that public elementary and secondary schools as well as state institutions of higher learning display the U.S. motto “In God We Trust” in a “conspicuous location within a common area of the main building of the school that is accessible to the public.”
This bill was introduced on Feb. 12 by lead sponsor Sen. Michael Azinger, R-Wood.
Azinger said that getting this bill passed was a lesson in perseverance.
“This is the third year in a row that this bill that I run the bill and you learn at the Capitol perseverance is the quality you have to have with bills because they die,” Azinger said. “Anyone says don’t get married to bills down there, but it’s impossible not to get married to bills. You know, if it’s your bill and it dies it’s a hard thing.”
Azinger said that it’s his belief this bill teaches students what the U.S. motto is.
“I think that there’s confusion about that,” Azinger continued. “Is it E pluribus unum or what? It was established by [President] Eisenhower and that Congress to be “In God We Trust.”
Azinger continued that his belief is that the “nation’s founding was a Christian founding.”
Sen. Majority Whip Jay Taylor, R-Taylor, stated that he believes this bill will be countered, but he believes it teaches religious freedom.
“Our country it’s supposed to be freedom of religion not freedom from religion, and that’s the thing we need to teach our kids – that whatever religion they decide to practice they have that freedom,” Taylor said. “And it’s not that we are trying to keep religion away from them, it’s that we are giving them the freedom to believe how they want to believe.”
In addition to requiring that the U.S. motto be displayed in public schools, the bill also states that public schools and state institutions of higher learning “may also display in a similar location in common areas of other buildings of the institution of higher education, a durable poster or framed copy of the United States national motto, ‘In God We Trust’: Provided, That the poster or framed copy of the national motto described in this section is a minimum of 8.5 by 11 inches, and shall contain a representation of the United States flag centered under the national motto and may not depict any other words, images, or other information.”
The bill does not allow the use of public funds to go toward meeting the requirements of displaying the U.S. motto, but it does allow for schools to accept private donations.
According to Morrisey, this bill will teach students about the history, ideals, values and beliefs “that led to the founding of the greatest nation in the history of the world.”
“Our students will learn that here in West Virginia we do value God, family, and country,” Morrisey said.
