Griffith board makes phone-in-bathroom a suspension-level offense in student handbook

The Griffith Public Schools Board of Trustees approved an update to the student-parent handbook that elevates possession or use of phones with cameras in school bathrooms and locker rooms to a suspension-level offense on the first violation.

"If we want to be serious in this district about addressing bullying, then we need to address where it starts," the superintendent said while presenting the handbook change and asked that the policy make first offenses subject to suspension. She added that the rule would apply to bathrooms and locker rooms and cited concerns about students being photographed without clothes.

The board voted to adopt the change during the meeting. During audience participation a community member asked how limited restroom access would be handled under the new policy and whether passes would be provided; the superintendent responded that she would email the questioner with details.

The policy change was framed as part of broader anti-bullying and student-safety efforts; the superintendent also referenced vaping and device misuse as related problems the handbook seeks to limit. The board did not provide a detailed roll-out timeline at the meeting; staff will circulate implementation details and enforcement procedures to the community.

What happens next: Superintendent staff will follow up by email with specifics on restroom access and enforcement procedures and will update handbook documentation as required.