Lakota board approves community‑drafted cell‑phone policy amid pending state legislation

The Lakota Board of Education voted April 28 to approve a locally drafted cell‑phone policy after a community engagement process, while warning that pending state legislation could supersede the district policy.

Miss Casper, a member of the board’s policy committee, said the document grew from community input: “We wanted that to be a very collaborative effort with our community,” she said during the meeting, noting the policy went before the board for second reading and approval.

Trustees said they approved the locally developed policy so the district would have a clear plan to communicate if the state does not change course. Board members and staff cautioned, however, that a substitute bill under consideration at the state level would mandate a different approach in some cases and include specific language about IEPs and Section 504 students. Treasurer Adam Zink told the board that, given the legislation’s timing, the earliest the district could finalize communications to families would likely be June: “With this delay with legislation, that communication, the earliest that we would see that go out to our stakeholders would be in June, at the earliest,” he said.

Discussion versus decision: the board formally adopted the district’s version of the policy (second reading and vote). Trustees emphasized that if state law changes, the district may need to update or replace the local policy.

Next steps: staff said they plan proactive communication over the summer if the state does not change the rule; if state legislation becomes final first, staff will revise communications to reflect the statutory requirements.