Current Status
The board has formally adopted and implemented a new 'away for the day' cell phone policy for the 2026-2027 school year. The administration reports a successful launch at secondary schools while addressing parent safety concerns.
Overview
- On September 14, 2026, the board unanimously passed the second read of the rules, formalizing the policy, and the administration reported a successful launch.
- On August 17, 2026, the board approved the first reading of the implementation rules, which vary by grade level for storing devices from bell-to-bell.
- On July 20, 2026, the board discussed the state-mandated policy, clarifying that administrators were still developing the specific implementation procedures for board review.
- On June 8, 2026, the board held the first read of a state-mandated cell phone policy that prohibits phone use during the school day and planned a public workshop.
Perspectives
Board
- Unanimously passed the second read of the rules for personal electronic devices on September 14, 2026.
- Approved the first reading of the implementation rules on August 17, 2026.
- Held a public workshop to help develop procedures for the new policy.
Administration
- Reported a successful launch of the new policy at secondary schools.
- Developed grade-level specific rules for device storage, including main office storage, lockers, and morning lockboxes.
- Addressed parent safety concerns related to the new policy.
Citizens
- Some parents raised safety concerns regarding the new policy.
Key Resolutions & Votes
| Date | Motion | Result |
|---|---|---|
| September 14, 2026 | Consideration and action to approve Policy JIJC-R: Rules and Regulations for Personal Electronic Devices (Second Read). | Passed |
| August 17, 2026 | to approve Policy JICI: Cell Phones and Other Personal Electronic Devices in Schools | Passed |
| July 20, 2026 | To approve Policy JICI: Cell Phones and Other Personal Electronic Devices in Schools | Passed |
| June 8, 2026 | To approve an amendment to Policy JICI: Cell Phones and Other Personal Electronic Devices in Schools (first reading) | Passed |
Meeting History
September 14, 2026
September 14, 2026 — School Board Meeting — SPSD
Start of School Year Update
The Superintendent provided a comprehensive update on the start of the 2026-2027 school year, highlighting summer projects like secure vestibules at Skillin and Dyer, the relocation of Kaler staff, and the onboarding of new leadership. The report also covered the successful launch of the new cell phone policy at secondary schools, with the administration addressing parent safety concerns.
Policy Updates: Cell Phones and Public Participation
The board unanimously passed the second read of the new rules for personal electronic devices, formalizing the 'away for the day' policy. They also held a first read for changes to the public participation policy (BEDH), which proposes eliminating the practice of yielding time to other speakers and setting a 10:00 PM meeting end time, sparking debate during public comment.
August 17, 2026
August 17, 2026 — School Board Meeting — SPSD
Personal Electronic Devices Policy Implementation
The board reviewed the implementation plan for Policy JIJC - R: Rules and Regulations for Personal Electronic Devices, which enforces a state-mandated bell-to-bell ban on personal electronic devices. The rules vary by grade level, with elementary devices stored in the main office, middle school devices locked in lockers, and high school devices collected in morning lockboxes.
Financial and Policy Approvals
The board approved the consent agenda, the Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan, and the first reading of the personal electronic devices rules. The finance committee also reported a positive end-of-year fund balance estimate between $71,151 and $168,508, alongside plans for quarterly financial updates to the City Council.
July 20, 2026
July 20, 2026 — School Board Meeting — SPSD
Cell Phone Policy (Policy JICI)
The board held a lengthy discussion on the new state-mandated cell phone policy before its final vote. The discussion clarified that while the overarching policy would be approved, the specific implementation procedures are still being developed by administrators and will be reviewed by the board later, with a goal of having them in place for the first day of school.
June 8, 2026
June 8, 2026 — School Board Meeting — SPSD
New Policies Approved
The board unanimously approved a new Educational Equity Policy, developed by the district's equity committee to provide a framework for addressing inequities using data. They also approved a new Agenda Policy (BEDB) and held the first read of a state-mandated cell phone policy (JICI) that will prohibit phone use during the school day, with a public workshop planned to develop procedures.