TECHNOLOGY RESOURCES AND OTHER ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT

TECHNOLOGY RESOURCES AND OTHER ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT

po5136.01Adopted November 18, 2024Revised October 20, 2025

5136.01 - TECHNOLOGY RESOURCES AND OTHER ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT

While in some instances the possession and use of Technology Resources (as defined in Bylaw 0100), Personal Communication Devices (PCDs) (as defined by Bylaw 0100) and other electronic equipment or devices by a student at school may be appropriate, the possession and use of such Technology Resources, PCDs, and other equipment or devices by students at school also may have the effect of distracting, disrupting and/or intimidating others in the school environment and leading to opportunities for academic dishonesty and other disruptions of the educational process.

Consequently, the School Board will supply any Technology Resources and other electronic equipment or devices necessary for participation in the educational program. The following provisions do not apply to School Corporation-owned and issued laptops, tablets, e-readers, personal digital assistants (PDAs), PCDs, or authorized assistive technology devices.

Student possession and use of PCDs shall be consistent with Board Policy 5136 - Personal Communication Devices. 

  1. laptops,
  2. tablets (e.g., iPad-like devices),
  3. smartphones,
  4. e-readers (e.g., Kindle-like devices),
  5. PDAs.

Students may use the following Technology Resources, electronic equipment, and devices while riding to and from school on a Corporation bus or other Corporation vehicle or on a Corporation bus or other Corporation vehicle during school-sponsored activities at the discretion of the bus driver, classroom teacher, or sponsor/advisor/coach as provided in the student's IEP or Section 504 plan: 

  1. cameras (photographic and/or video),
  2. laptops,
  3. tablets (e.g., iPad-like devices),
  4. smartphones,
  5. e-readers (e.g., Kindle-like devices),
  6. PDAs.

However, the use of any communication functionally that is a part of or attached to the above-approved Technology Resources, electronic equipment, or devices is expressly prohibited. This includes, but is not limited to, wireless Internet access, peer-to-peer (ad-hoc) networking, or any other method of communication with other devices or networks. In no circumstances shall the device be allowed to connect to the Corporation's computer network.

Students are prohibited from using Technology Resources, electronic equipment, or devices in a manner that may be physically harmful to another person (e.g., shining a laser in the eyes of another student). Further, students are prohibited from using Technology Resources, electronic equipment, and devices with image or video capture functionality in any school situation where a reasonable expectation of personal privacy exists. These locations and circumstances include but are not limited to gymnasiums, locker rooms, shower facilities, restrooms/bathrooms, swimming pools, and any other areas where students or others may change clothes or be in any stage of undress. The Superintendent and building principals are authorized to determine other specific locations and situations where use of such devices is absolutely prohibited. If a student needs to use a device to manage the student's health care or in the event of an emergency, the student should go to an area where a reasonable expectation of personal privacy does not exist, except where the emergency prevents the student from leaving the area.

Except as authorized by a teacher or administrator or as provided in a student's IEP or Section 504 plan, students are prohibited from using Technology Resources, electronic equipment, and devices to capture, record and/or transmit the words or sounds (i.e., audio) and/or images (i.e., pictures/video) of any student, staff member or other person in school, before and after school hours, on Corporation property, during after-school activities (e.g., extra-curricular activities), and at school-related functions. Using a PCD to capture, record, and/or transmit audio and/or pictures/video of an individual without proper consent is considered an invasion of privacy and is not permitted.

Students who violate this policy and/or use Technology Resources, electronic equipment, or devices to violate the privacy rights of another person may have their device confiscated and held until the end of the school day. If the violation involves potentially illegal activity, the confiscated device may be turned over to law enforcement.

Students shall not use Technology Resources, electronic equipment, and devices in any way that reasonably might create in the mind of another person an impression of being threatened, humiliated, harassed, embarrassed, or intimidated. See Policy 5517.01 – Bullying and Other Forms of Aggressive Behavior. In particular, students are prohibited from using PCDs to: 1) transmit material that is threatening, obscene, disruptive, or sexually explicit or that can be construed as harassment or disparagement of others based upon their race, color, national origin, sex (including sexual orientation/transgender identity), disability, age, religion, ancestry, or political beliefs; and 2) engage in "sexting" - i.e., sending, receiving, sharing, viewing, or possessing pictures, text messages, e-mails or other materials of a sexual nature in electronic or any other form. Violation of these prohibitions shall result in disciplinary action. Furthermore, such actions shall be reported to local law enforcement and the Indiana Department of Child Services (DCS), as required by law.

Students are prohibited also from using Technology Resources, electronic equipment, and devices to capture, record, and/or transmit test information or any other information in a manner constituting fraud, theft, cheating, or academic dishonesty. Likewise, students are prohibited from using Technology Resources, electronic equipment, and devices to receive such information.

Possession of Technology Resources, electronic equipment, and devices by a student in school, before and after school hours, on Corporation property, during their lunch break, between classes, during after-school activities (e.g., extra-curricular activities), and at school-related functions is a privilege that may be forfeited by any student who fails to abide by the terms of this policy or otherwise abuses this privilege.

Violations of this policy may result in disciplinary action and/or confiscation of Technology Resources, electronic equipment, and devices. The building principal also shall refer the matter to local law enforcement or DCS if the violation involves an illegal activity (e.g., child pornography, sexting) or child abuse. Discipline will be imposed on an escalating scale ranging from a warning to an expulsion based on the number of previous violations and/or the nature of or circumstances surrounding a particular violation. If the PCD is confiscated, it will be released/returned to the student's parent/guardian unless the violation involves a potentially unlawful activity, in which case the PCD may be turned over to local law enforcement. A confiscated device will be marked in a removable manner with the student's name and kept in a designated area in the Principal's Office until the end of class or the end of the school day, as appropriate, for minor violations, or  held in a secure location in the building's central office until it is retrieved by the parent/guardian or turned over to local law enforcement. School officials will not search or otherwise tamper with Technology Resources, electronic equipment, and devices in Corporation custody unless they reasonably suspect that the search is required to discover evidence of a violation of the law or other school rules. Any search will be conducted in accordance with Policy 5771 – Search and Seizure. If multiple offenses occur, a student may lose their privilege to bring Technology Resources, electronic equipment, and devices to school for a designated length of time or on a permanent basis.

A person who discovers a student using Technology Resources, electronic equipment, or devices in violation of this policy is required to report the violation to the building principal, facility administrator, or Superintendent.

Students are personally and solely responsible for the care and security of their Technology Resources, electronic equipment, and devices. The Board assumes no responsibility for damage to or theft, loss, misuse, or unauthorized use of Technology Resources, electronic equipment, and devices brought onto Corporation property.

Revised 3/3/25

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