Indianola school board unanimously approves cell-phone policy, handbook revisions and May financial report

The Indianola Community School District Board of Directors voted 5-0 to approve the second reading of two cell-phone policies, adopt recommended handbook revisions and accept the district—s May financial report during its regular meeting.

The cell-phone policy (listed in the meeting as 503.09 and 503.09R1) requires students to keep phones put away during instructional time from bell to bell. Board members said the policy is intended to give building administrators authority to enforce existing classroom expectations rather than leaving enforcement solely to individual teachers. A staff member said the district plans to communicate the policy broadly, including social media and a BrightArrow message to families.

Board members also approved updated student handbooks that staff said reflect legislative changes and align with board policy. The administration noted that board policy supersedes handbook language and that state law takes…