Board holds first reading of wireless device policy to comply with new state law

Superintendent Rebecca Coffman presented proposed edits to Board policy 5136 (Wireless Communication Devices) at the board’s May 11 meeting to comply with Senate Enrolled Act 78, which amends IC 20-26-5-40.7. The draft policy would prohibit student use of wireless communication devices during instructional time and require devices either to be powered off and stored and inaccessible for the school day or to be prohibited from being brought to school, while allowing teacher-directed instructional use on school-supplied or school-sanctioned devices under specified conditions.

Coffman summarized the law’s mandatory exceptions: device use required by an Individualized Education Program (IEP) or Section 504 Plan; necessary to manage a documented medical condition with provider authorization; authorized by the superintendent during an emergency; required for language translation for multilingual learners (with priority for school-managed devices); and narrow allowance for audio-only recording devices used for unobtrusive personal educational notetaking subject to visibility, inspection and consent requirements and prohibition on using such recordings for disciplinary or evaluative purposes.

Board members asked clarifying questions about the scope and wording, including how the policy defines the school day and the treatment of travel for field trips and other school-sponsored events. Superintendent Coffman said she would consult the Indiana Department of Education and counsel for clarification and bring the edits back for a second reading at the June meeting. No vote was taken at this first reading.