The Gary School Board unanimously approved a “bell to bell” cellphone policy May 14, with some members voicing skepticism on how to enforce the new state law.
Previously, Gary students could use their phones during lunch periods, between classes and on a school bus, as long as they didn’t create a disruption.
The new ban came after weeks of deliberations in the General Assembly earlier this year. Lawmakers agreed cellphones created a distraction from classroom studies and they cited studies that showed the atmosphere improves along with grades when phones are out of the classroom.
Like Gary, school boards across the state will be adopting new cellphone policies.
Besides phones, the ban includes personal laptops, tablets, e-readers, smartphones, smartwatches, smart glasses, gaming devices and other web-enabled devices.
Smartwatches can be used if they’re not connected to a phone, cell tower or the internet.
Students can use their phones for teacher-guided educational lessons. Starting July 1, 2028, schools will be required to provide the devices for educational purposes under teacher supervision.
Violations of the policy may lead to the confiscation of a cellphone or other device. Discipline will be meted out on an escalating scale, beginning with a warning and up to expulsion.
The district opted not to consider a storage policy for devices.
Exemptions were made for students with medical documentation, some special education students, language instruction and in the event of an emergency authorized by the school.
Board member Angela Lockett asked how the ban would be enforced on school buses.
Communications director Chelsea Whittington said the buses are equipped with cameras.
“It takes all of us to make sure students follow the law,” said Superintendent Yvonne Stokes. “We won’t go in someone’s pocket for a phone. The reality is it should not be out… If we don’t hold our students accountable, they will just do what they want to.”
Stokes said cellphones have become a distraction. She said if kids start fighting, she said phones come out, the recording lands on social media, and kids are continuously traumatized.
In other business, Lockett voted against the 2026-27 school board meeting schedule, saying a 4:30 p.m. meeting is difficult for parents to attend.
“I don’t know why we do it that way,” she said. “We want parents to show up but we schedule meetings at 4:30 in the afternoon weekdays… I don’t think meetings starting in the middle of the afternoon are a good idea.”
Lockett and Gary resident Michaela Spangenberg also complained about the lack of detail on the school board’s online agenda, which uses a program called “board docs.” Many districts use the program and include personnel, policies and other agenda items the board is voting on.
Spangenberg said there are no documents, just an agenda, on the online board docs.
Carole Carlson is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.
