Gibbon Nation
We continue with our efforts to share information about policies, practices and procedures impacted by legislation passed by the Nebraska Unicameral. LB 140 requires all schools to adopt a policy that bans student cell phones on school premises, with five listed exceptions. Legislation mandated that this new policy needed to be in place before the start of the 2025-26 school year. The Gibbon Public Schools received the model policy in May, the Gibbon School Board reviewed the proposed policy during the June meeting and then adopted to proposed policy during its July board meeting.
The purpose of this News Story is to share what is considered an electronic device and outline the appropriate and inappropriate use of electronic devices when students are on campus or attending a school instructional function.
Cell Phones and Other Electronic Communication Devices - Policy 504.12
The District prohibits the use of cell phones or other electronic communication devices by students while on school property or attending a school instructional function except as provided otherwise below. Violation of this policy may include disciplinary measures under the district's student conduct policies up to and including suspension or expulsion.
Other electronic communication device means any device which transmits by electronic means any writing, sound, visual image, or data of any nature to another electronic communication device. This includes personally owned electronic tablets, "smart" watches, earbuds, headphones, and gaming devices. The term "electronic communication device" includes a cell phone.
Students are not prohibited from using an electronic communication device while on school property or attending a school instructional function under any of the following circumstances:
1) When required by a student's individualized education program developed under the Special Education Act and its rules and regulations or a plan developed under section 504 of federal statutes';
2) When authorized by the District for educational purposes during instructional time;
3) In the case of an emergency or perceived threat of danger;
4) When necessary to monitor or manage a student's health care; or
5) When appropriate under District policies or otherwise allowed by an appropriate school employee.
In addition to any prohibitions on electronic communication devices stated above, students shall not use such devices for recording or transmitting photographs, images or sounds of other persons without direct administrative approval and consent of all person(s) being recorded, other than the recording of persons participating in school activities that are open to the public. Students shall not use electronic devices at any time where there is an expectation privacy.
As you can see, the senators were serious about ensuring each school in Nebraska has policy in place that regulates the use of cell phones and other electronic devices. The Gibbon Public School's policy is aligned to this new legislation and school administrators plan on visiting with students when they return to school.
The next "News" Story - Cell Phones and Other Electronic Devices Part 2 will share the rules for confiscating prohibited devices.
We hope you find this information useful.
#WeAreGibbon