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School board adopts personal-device policy to match new state law
Summary
Jennings County School Corporation approved updated NEOLA personal-device rules requiring middle and high school students to store phones and similar devices in lockers during the school day, with principals given discretion over confiscated items; the motion passed unanimously.
The Jennings County School Corporation board voted to adopt a package of NEOLA policies that includes a new personal-device rule designed to match recently enacted state legislation.
A staff presenter described the policy as requiring high school and middle school students to place phones, smartwatches and similar personal devices in lockers when they arrive at school and not retrieve them until the end of the school day, and advising elementary students not to bring such devices to school. The presenter said the change “matches what's the requirement from the state, which is that students cannot have access to devices bell to bell in schools.”
Board members discussed enforcement and consequences. According to staff, confiscated devices would be sent to the principal, who “will have the discretion to send that device home with the student at the end of the day or to ask the parent to come to school and pick it up.” The board approved the policy by voice vote (motion by Mary Lynn, second by Pat; vote recorded as 5–0).
Why it matters: The update aligns local school policy with state law and clarifies how principals should handle confiscated devices, shifting the district’s daily enforcement logistics and parent-notification steps.
Next steps: Staff said they will distribute the updated policy language to parents and families and implement locker-storage procedures at schools before the start of the next school year.
