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Lake Central officials brief board on two Indiana bills that could change school visits by immigration officials and ban phones during the school day
Summary
District administrators warned the board that Senate Bill 76 could allow immigration officers to visit schools and that Senate Bill 78's "bell-to-bell" phone ban would require phones be inaccessible all day, raising enforcement challenges and concerns about exceptions for medical or IEP needs.
Dr. Bracco gave the board a legislative briefing on two state bills that could affect district operations.
On Senate Bill 76 (immigration matters), Dr. Bracco said the draft legislation ‘‘appears to allow immigration officials to visit schools to conduct their business’’ and reminded the board that the district historically does not release students except to parents unless there is a serious criminal matter. He said the district is awaiting guidance from the Indiana Department of Education on how schools should respond if immigration officers seek access.
On Senate Bill 78 — commonly called a “bell-to-bell” cell phone ban — Dr. Bracco explained the bill requires devices be stored, powered off and inaccessible throughout the school day. He said Lake Central currently meets two elements (storage before class and powered off in class) but would not meet the third unless students leave phones at home, in cars or in lockers, or the district implements locked pouches for all students. He warned enforcement could be time-consuming and that the district would need to consider accommodations for IEP/504 students and students who require devices for medical monitoring or as translation tools.
Board members asked follow-up questions about how long the district’s current storage practice has been in place (administrators said roughly three years in some buildings) and expressed concerns about progressive discipline, parental expectations about emergency contact, and the logistical burden of collecting and returning devices. The board did not take a formal vote on policy changes; administrators said they are awaiting state guidance and will communicate with parents when next steps are known.
