What Indiana’s Bell-to-Bell Device Rule Means for Bargersville Students

Families in Bargersville whose children attend Center Grove schools should prepare for a new personal-device routine when the district’s 2026-27 classes begin Wednesday, August 5, 2026.

Indiana Senate Enrolled Act 78 took effect July 1, 2026. The law requires public school corporations and charter schools to adopt policies restricting student use of wireless communication devices during the school day. Center Grove Community School Corporation has published its implementation for the coming school year.

Personal devices stay secured from bell to bell

Center Grove’s 2026-27 back-to-school guidance says wireless personal devices must be secured in a backpack from bell to bell. The requirement applies to personal technology brought from home, rather than requiring students to surrender every device to school staff.

The state law covers more than traditional cellphones. Its definition includes cellphones, tablet computers, laptops, gaming devices and connected smartwatches. Families should therefore plan for phones and other connected personal technology to remain secured during the school day unless an approved exception applies.

School-issued Chromebooks are different

Center Grove’s high school guidance says students in grades 9-12 will use school-issued Chromebooks during the 2026-27 school year. That is distinct from a student’s personal phone, tablet, laptop, gaming device or smartwatch.

State law and district materials allow teacher-directed educational use on school-supplied devices. Students should follow the teacher’s and school’s instructions rather than assume that a personal device can be used for classroom work.

Limited exceptions remain

SEA 78 and Center Grove materials preserve exceptions for circumstances such as emergencies, medical needs and documented accommodations or health-care plans. The Pleasant Grove Elementary handbook also describes exceptions connected to teacher-directed educational use, medical emergencies and formal health-care needs.

Families whose children need an exception should contact the student’s school before classes begin to confirm the required documentation and procedures. The exception is tied to the student’s documented circumstances and the school’s policy; it is not a general exemption for convenience.

What Bargersville families should do before August 5

• Review Center Grove’s 2026-27 back-to-school and student-handbook guidance.
• Plan for personal wireless devices to remain secured in a backpack from bell to bell.
• Make sure students understand the difference between personal devices and school-issued Chromebooks.
• Contact the school in advance about documented medical, accommodation or health-care needs.
• Confirm the applicable policy if the student attends a school outside Center Grove.

Bargersville is a town in Johnson County served by more than one school corporation. This explanation applies to students served by Center Grove Community School Corporation and should not be extended automatically to nearby districts or private schools.

Sources

• Center Grove Community School Corporation, 2026-27 Back-to-School Information
• Indiana Senate Enrolled Act 78
• Town of Bargersville, “Our Town” page
• Pleasant Grove Elementary, 2026-27 Student Handbook