Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Education Policy topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Board briefed on LB140 statewide electronic-device ban and district planning
Summary
The board discussed LB140 — a state bill to ban electronic devices in schools — and district plans to align handbooks and procedures for the 2025–26 school year, while noting accommodations for medical needs and the need for parent support.
Board members heard an overview of LB140, described by a district leader as a bill that would require stricter control of electronic devices in Nebraska schools and that is expected to take effect for the 2025–26 school year.
Dr. Rhodes (district leadership) told the board the bill — introduced by Senator Sanders — had passed an earlier legislative vote and reached a final motion on April 11; he said the statute will specify some required components and that KSB (district counsel) had drafted a model ban policy. “There has been an amendment that changed cell phones to electronic devices,” he said, and added that the bill’s language will dictate required statutory elements.
Rhodes said secondary principals are designing procedures, including a morning check-in and afternoon check-out of devices at the high school, and that Madison’s building-level practice of placing phones in lockers had given the district a starting template. He said district media and administrators are preparing communications to parents and staff and noted the district will present handbook language to the board for approval this summer.
Board members asked about exceptions and accommodations; Rhodes said medical exceptions and other statutory carve-outs will be included where required and that the draft policy will be compared to the state statute before formal adoption. A board member reported several parent calls earlier in the day and said those parents largely supported a ban, viewing it as beneficial for students’ socialization and safety. Rhodes said further policy drafts would be circulated and that the district will seek parent cooperation when the rules are implemented.
No formal board vote on the policy occurred at this meeting; Rhodes said the district will likely bring handbook and policy language for board approval in June or July, ahead of the statute’s effective year.
