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 precedence over board policy.

During the finance report, a staff presenter summarized May figures for the general fund and other funds. The cash balance for May was reported as $15,589,571. Revenue categories presented included local revenue (property taxes) of approximately $14,282,000; state aid and related state sources of about $26,268,000; and federal grant revenue of about $916,000 (down from the prior year, reflecting the end of federal ESSER funds). Year-to-date expenses through May included regular instruction spending of just over $21,000,000 and total expenses of roughly $36,392,000, compared with about $34,678,000 the prior year. The presenter said the capital projects fund showed a negative balance driven by timing of high school improvement expenses and bond proceeds.

Votes at a glance

- Consent agenda: Motion to approve the consent agenda as presented. Motion made by Tim Mills; seconded by Eric Christiansen. Outcome: approved, vote 5-0.

- Cell-phone policies (second reading) 503.09 and 503.09R1: Motion to approve second reading of the presented policies. Motion made by Eric Christiansen; seconded by Sue Wilson. Outcome: approved, vote 5-0.

- Revised handbooks: Motion to approve recommended handbook changes. Motion moved by Eric Christiansen; seconded by Tim Mills. Outcome: approved, vote 5-0.

- Financial report (May): Motion to approve the financial report. Motion made by Eric Christiansen; seconded by Sue Wilson. Outcome: approved, vote 5-0.

- Adjournment: Motion to adjourn. Motion made by Jeanette (role not specified in the record); seconded by Sue Wilson. Outcome: approved, vote 5-0.

The board chair said administrators will provide building-level expectations so teachers and principals have a common baseline for enforcing the cell-phone policy; however, board members acknowledged that room-level protocols may continue to vary (for example, cubbies, pockets or honor systems). Administration said it may issue reminders to staff during the rollout and that compliance may require several iterations to implement smoothly.

Board members reported no public input received since the first reading on the cell-phone policies, though one board member noted a small number of parent emails asking about teacher accountability and how building administrators would support uniform enforcement.

The financial presenter said year-to-date revenue and expenditures show limited variation from the prior year and that the district is maintaining a healthy fund balance. The presentation included the typical fund breakdowns and noted the decline in federal grant revenue attributable to the expiration of ESSER funds.

No sealed bids were reported as received for the items listed in the agenda; staff said those bid notices will be republished.

The meeting lasted a short time, and the board adjourned after completing the listed business.