Nebraska
Lincoln Public Schools expands vape detectors to middle school restrooms
Source: 10/11 NOW (KOLN) · October 21, 2026
Lincoln Public Schools is adding vape detectors to middle school bathrooms after already placing them in every Lincoln high school. The sensors detect vape or THC smoke and alert administrators, and the district paid for them with Juul settlement money. LPS plans to have detectors in 3 of its 12 middle schools by the end of the semester and says its data shows violations have dropped since the high school rollout in 2023.
Why it matters for your school
Many districts start vape detection at the high school and later find the problem has moved to the middle school. If you’re weighing where to begin, our vape sensor buyer’s guide covers placement, alerts and privacy, and Haddock Education Technologies installs HALO Smart Sensors with our own certified installers. Settlement or grant money may help, so check funding options too.
Nebraska
Nebraska holds first-of-its-kind K-12 cyber attack drill
Source: Nebraska Department of Education · October 26, 2026
More than 170 Nebraska school leaders, IT directors and teachers joined a three-hour tabletop exercise with CISA, the Nebraska State Patrol, the Omaha FBI and the ESUs. The scenarios walked through a widespread phishing attack followed by a ransomware demand for stolen student information. NDE asked schools to review incident response plans, train locally and complete the cyber readiness assessment required by LB937.
Why it matters for your school
Every connected panel, camera and classroom device is part of your network, and out-of-date firmware is an easy door to leave open. Managed Device Services from Haddock Education Technologies keeps firmware, apps and operating systems updated and adds remote troubleshooting and help desk support (repairs are not included), so your IT team has fewer loose ends to chase before a readiness review.
Kansas
Wichita voters decide a $615 million school bond on November 3
Source: Wichita Public Schools (USD 259) · Election on November 3, 2026 (page checked November 1, 2026)
Wichita Public Schools put a two-question, $615 million bond on the November 3 ballot to rebuild and preserve aging buildings, whose average age the district puts at 60 years. Question 1 would not raise the tax rate; Question 2 would add an estimated $50 a year on a $200,000 home. Several high school projects list safety work, including updated intercom systems, lighting and storm shelter vestibule doors, along with new and improved CTE spaces.
Illinois
Highland schools set a five-level scale for AI on assignments
Source: The Troy Times Tribune · October 29, 2026
The Highland School District board approved an AI policy framework on Sept. 28, after about a year of work by a committee of teachers and administrators and following the Illinois State Board of Education’s July guidance. At Highland High School, teachers use a five-level scale for each assignment, from no AI help at all to full use. Staff are told not to enter sensitive student information into AI programs, and the district’s tech team also guards against phishing and scams.
Why it matters for your school
Illinois leaves the details to each district, so most schools will end up writing an approach like Highland’s, and the hard part is putting it into practice in every classroom. Haddock Education Technologies trains teachers to use AI on one shared, teacher-led interactive panel, where the whole class can see how it’s being used. Fewer screens, more teaching. Managed Device Services keeps classroom devices updated for the privacy and security side. If you’re working on an AI plan, we’re glad to talk it through.
Summaries are written by Haddock Education Technologies. Please read each original article for full details. See all roundups →
