Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Student Device Policy topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Board adopts new student device limits and emergency‑plan updates; K–8 phones restricted bell‑to‑bell
Summary
The board approved updates to the district’s wireless‑device policy and emergency operations plans to comply with new state law; recommendation includes K–8 bell‑to‑bell phone restriction and a high‑school exception for lunch, plus a phased device‑deployment plan and exemptions for district or medically required devices.
The Midland Public Schools Board on Monday approved a set of policy updates that include a new student wireless communication device rule and revised emergency operations plans to comply with Michigan’s 2026 safety legislation.
Kara, presenting the staff recommendation, said the proposed policy is tiered by grade band: K–8 students would be required to store personal wireless devices in lockers or backpacks and not use them during the school day (bell to bell); high‑school students would follow the same restriction with an explicit exception for the lunch period to accommodate open‑campus students. District‑issued devices (for example Chromebooks), medically necessary devices documented in IEPs or 504 plans, and targeted instructional tools would be exempt from the restriction.
Kara told trustees the policy follows Public Act 2 and that the district will adopt consistent noncompliance procedures, update handbooks and roll out stakeholder communications. “Our top priority in building this recommendation was to remain fully compliant without losing sight of what’s important for our students,” Kara said.
During public comment Leslie Hamill urged a stricter bell‑to‑bell approach for high schools as well; trustees and staff acknowledged that the high‑school exception is intended as a near‑term accommodation while the district collects data and monitors implementation. Penny Miller Nelson and other trustees emphasized that enforcement should be supported with coaching rather than punitive policing of teachers and that parents will need clear instructions for the change.
The board voted to approve the suite of policy updates (motion by Ringgold, support by Lauterbach). Separately, trustees approved updated Emergency Operations Plans that explicitly incorporate guidance on student device use during emergencies and behavioral threat‑assessment protocols (motion by Lauterbox, support by Ringgold).
Staff noted next steps: system‑wide communication to families and staff this summer, consistent school‑by‑school implementation in the fall, establishment of noncompliance procedures and district monitoring with a commitment to revisit the policy after one year of implementation.
Key details: the policy allows confiscation in violation cases as permitted by state law; district communications will clarify how families contact students in emergencies (front‑office phones remain available). The board and staff also said they will measure outcomes and consider adjustments after the initial school year.
