Omaha Public Schools presents 2025–26 student code of conduct updates, including new cell‑phone rule and dress guidance

Omaha Public Schools administrators presented proposed revisions to the districtwide student code of conduct for 2025–26, telling the Board of Education on May 5 that the changes are intended to standardize disciplinary expectations, protect instructional time and align the district with state guidance.

The proposed revisions add noncompliance with cell‑phone and personal electronic‑device expectations as a level‑1 violation, update dress and grooming language to reflect Nebraska Department of Education model policy (including protections for religious attire, tribal regalia and natural/protective hairstyles), and remove specific attendance language so the code references OPS Policy 5‑008 for attendance details. Lisa Utterback, executive leader for student services, told the board the cell‑phone rule aims to limit social‑media interruptions that research shows can harm student focus and mental health.

The changes retain the code’s multi‑tiered behavior supports and emphasize that level‑1 violations should not result in major exclusionary discipline. Utterback said students will be allowed to use devices before and after school, during lunch and passing periods at high schools, or when explicitly directed by staff for instruction or for health‑monitoring reasons. Administrators will first direct students to correct the behavior; persistent refusal could escalate to administrative intervention per the code.

Board members asked for clarity about how staff should address dress violations and device use without escalating incidents. Utterback said staff visibility in hallways and teacher redirection are primary strategies; removal from class is considered an extreme step. The district will continue substitution options for physical education credit (for example, athletics, JROTC, show choir) and plans to publish the code in Spanish for 2025–26 and in seven additional languages after approval.

The administration said the redlined 51‑page draft and a two‑page summary of edits were provided to the board; the code will return for a first reading at the next regular meeting. The board did not take final action on the code tonight; Utterback said first reading is scheduled at the next meeting.