Policy chair Miss Cheatham reviewed a new student devices policy (5516) implementing the state's bell‑to‑bell phone restrictions: personal devices must be stored during the school day except under IEP/504/health plan exceptions; smartwatches/glasses are included; e‑bike rules mirror state licensing and registration requirements.

A long-range planning committee recommended a $1.64 billion bond package covering infrastructure, classroom technology, athletic facilities and pools; staff project the district's I&S tax rate would drop by 3 cents under the plan, and trustees debated device provisions for younger students.

The board authorized purchase orders to renew and refresh student and staff devices and debated platform choices, screen‑time policies and opt‑out options; the motion passed 5–1.

Lancaster ISD proposes a five-year plan to refresh student devices with Apple iPads.

District staff recommended and the board signaled support for a storage‑based approach under SB78: students may bring personal devices but must power them off and store them (elementary cubbies, middle‑school lockers, high‑school lockers/backpacks); documented medical and IEP/504 exceptions apply. The district will accelerate school‑issued device rollout ahead of the July 1, 2028 deadline and publish messaging for families.

The board unanimously approved updated policy language to require student electronic devices be powered off and stored during the school day and adopted Resolution 874 to transfer $2.5 million from the rainy day fund to the education fund to offset next year's reductions.

Students will not face suspension for carrying phones, but must use district-issued Chromebooks.

Facing discontinuation of the Surface Go and rising prices, district staff recommended a one-year Chromebook Duet rollout for incoming freshmen (2026–27) while planning a larger stakeholder process for a multi-year device strategy; committee discussed BYO, testing comparability and screen-time goals.