Omaha Public Schools board reviews 2025–26 student code of conduct; cellphone and dress-code changes advance to first reading

Omaha Public Schools administrators presented a draft of the 2025–26 student code of conduct and the board approved the administration’s motion to advance related policy language for first reading.

The district’s proposed code updates include (1) revised dress-and-grooming language aligned with Nebraska Department of Education model guidance and a 2023 state statute update, clarifying that nondiscrimination and cultural/religious attire (including tribal regalia and natural/protective hairstyles) are allowed and that prohibited clothing includes material promoting violence, drugs, obscenity or hate speech; (2) a clearer prohibition on cell phone and personal electronic device use during instructional time (permitted before/after school and, for high school students, during lunch and passing periods) and new language designating noncompliance as a Level 1 violation that school staff will address in-class before escalating; and (3) removal of the policy 5008 text from the code to ensure the code reflects any future legislative or policy changes and a reference directing readers to OPS policy 5008 for attendance details.

Presenter Lisa Utterback described the code as a K–12, intentionally nonprescriptive guidance document used for training staff and supporting administrators’ responses to behavior. She said the district approaches behavior as a form of communication and aims to use multi-tiered supports, not exclusion, when possible. Utterback told the board the red-line draft and a two-page summary of changes had been provided to board members.

Board members asked specific implementation questions. Board member Kratke asked whether a student found in violation for obscenity would be removed from class; Utterback said staff would attempt in-class corrections and, when necessary, ask a student to the office for a quick resolution (for example, turning a shirt inside-out). Members pressed on whether dress-code protections include cultural adornments; staff confirmed cultural and tribal items are explicitly protected. On the cellphone change, board member Full asked whether a student could be suspended for repeated violations; Utterback said a student would not be excluded from the learning environment simply for having a phone out, but repeated refusal to comply could escalate under other insubordination provisions.

The code will be translated: staff said this year’s publication will be available in Spanish and that, once approved, the board will authorize translation into seven additional languages (nine total) for distribution. Utterback said the administration planned to return the code for a formal first reading at the next regular board meeting.

Action: On behalf of the policy committee, board member Thielen moved to advance the related policy language for first reading. The board approved the motion by roll call (9–0).