Students in grades 5–12 across the Lansing School District are set to lock their phones in secure pouches every school day starting Aug. 26, under a new wireless communication devices policy that was up for final approval at the Board of Education's Thursday, Aug. 6 meeting.

This story is based on the board's published meeting agenda for Aug. 6. Official minutes confirming the outcome of each vote had not yet been posted as of publication.

According to that agenda, the board was also scheduled to consider a Deputy Superintendent contract, award construction bids for three athletic facility projects and adopt a new transportation policy for students with Individualized Education Programs at the regular meeting at the Shirley M. Rodgers Administration Building.

Phone pouches go districtwide

The phone policy, presented by board member Cirea Strode, replaces the district's previous wireless device rules. Under the new Policy 5136, students keep physical possession of their devices but must store them in a locked pouch for the entire school day unless authorized by staff.

The policy had its first reading June 4, when it passed 8-0 with Strode absent. The Aug. 6 meeting was scheduled for the second and final reading.

The district said in a July 8 news post that the practice would reduce distractions and create learning environments where students can engage more fully with teachers and classwork — an announcement made a month before the final vote, indicating the district was already moving toward implementation regardless of the formal reading.

Sexton High School ran a 20-day phone pouch pilot during the 2025-26 school year. Then-Interim Superintendent Jessica Benavides celebrated the pilot as a success at the June 4 board meeting.

The policy aligns with Michigan House Bill 4141, signed by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer on Feb. 10, which requires all districts to ban student wireless device use during instructional time starting with the 2026-27 school year. The law includes exemptions for medically necessary devices, district-owned technology, IEP accommodations and emergency situations.

Deputy superintendent contract fills Benavides vacancy

A new Deputy Superintendent of Schools contract was listed as a new business item on the Aug. 6 agenda, with a recommended motion to approve it "as presented." The name of the hire was not included in the publicly posted agenda, and it could not be confirmed by publication whether the board adopted the contract as recommended.

The position opened after Jessica Benavides, who had served as First Deputy Superintendent earning $196,000, was elevated to superintendent. The board approved her superintendent contract July 28 in a 7-1 vote, with board member Rosalyn Williams dissenting, according to WILX. Benavides' new contract sets a base salary of $280,900 through June 30, 2029.

When the board approved that contract on July 28, board President Guillermo Lopez said Benavides "has earned the confidence of the Board of Education through nearly three decades of dedicated service to the Lansing School District and our community."

Athletic facility bids awarded

The Aug. 6 agenda called for the board to accept construction bids for Don Johnson Field House renovation work covering painting and HVAC (project SO 1855), Gardner Pavilion improvements (SO 1859) and Everett Dugout, Press Box and Concession repairs. All three projects would be funded through the district's 2022 bond. Dollar amounts for the bids were not listed in the public agenda.

The consent agenda also included three Christman Company change orders for ongoing bond work at Lewton, the district's Spanish Immersion school, and Sexton Auditorium.

New IEP transportation policy

Policy 8655, a brand-new policy addressing specialized transportation for students with IEPs, was also on the agenda for final approval Aug. 6. Details of the policy's specific provisions were not included in the agenda.

Teachers return Monday, Aug. 24. The first day of school for students is Wednesday, Aug. 26. Families new to the district can attend a preschool and kindergarten enrollment event Tuesday, Aug. 11, from noon to 4 p.m. at the Dr. Richard J. Halik Professional Development Center, 4200 Wainwright Ave.