Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the School Policy topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
MSD Boone Township board approves first reading of wireless‑devices policy restricting phones during the school day
Summary
The board accepted a first reading of a policy that would let students bring devices but require them powered off and stored in lockers during the school day; the policy cites Indiana statute IC 20‑26‑5‑40.7 and lists exceptions for instruction, emergencies and documented medical/IEP needs.
At its June 9 meeting, the MSD Boone Township school board approved the first reading of a new wireless‑devices policy that would allow students to bring phones and similar devices to school but require those devices to be powered off and kept in lockers during the school day.
The administration said the policy was adapted from an Indiana School Boards Association model and is written to permit limited instructional or medically required use while otherwise prohibiting possession and use during instructional hours. "Students may bring their phones to school, but they must be off and in their lockers throughout the day," the presenting staff member said in the discussion. The presenter added that the high‑school lunch‑time allowance that existed this year will no longer apply under the proposed policy.
The policy text presented to the board defines wireless electronic devices to include cellular phones, tablets, laptops, digital cameras, gaming devices and smartwatches that can communicate via cellular or internet connections. It lists exceptions: teacher‑authorized instructional use of school‑sanctioned devices; use during an emergency; documented medical necessity; use specified in a student's IEP or 504 plan; and unobtrusive audio‑only recording for note‑taking that is visible to the teacher and subject to inspection. The presenter said recordings made under the audio‑only exception will not be used for disciplinary or evaluative purposes against students or employees.
The policy text cites Indiana Code IC 20‑26‑5‑40.7 as the legal reference and states that violation may lead to discipline up to suspension or expulsion, with confiscated devices returned to parents. The board moved, seconded and approved the first reading; administrators said the policy will be incorporated into the next handbook draft for final consideration.
District staff said the new policy aims to align with a state model while clarifying school‑level exceptions and the device‑return process; the board did not discuss specific disciplinary cases at the meeting. The board will consider a subsequent reading and final adoption at a later meeting.
