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Board moves personal electronic-device policy to first reading with recommended edits to meet governor’s order
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Summary
Facing a governor-issued executive order, the board moved the personal electronic-device policy (JFCEB) to first reading with district-recommended edits to comply by the Oct. 31 deadline and to limit loss of instructional time.
The Sweet Home School District 55 Board of Directors voted to move the personal electronic-device policy (JFCEB) to a first-reading/action item with suggested amendments after extensive discussion on Oct. 13.
Background and legal prompt: Board members cited a governor’s executive order requiring districts to adopt a policy on student device use by Oct. 31, effective Jan. 1. District staff said the governor’s language called for devices to be “off and away” from the start to the end of the school day and presented draft options and bracketed language for the board to choose among.
What the board decided: The board approved a motion to move the policy with suggested edits into an action/first-reading item. The edits the board discussed and asked staff to include were: remove any requirement that the district provide pouches for device storage; allow devices to be kept in lockers or backpacks or on a student’s person but not used during instructional time; strike references to disciplinary actions such as Saturday school and instead list contacting a parent/guardian or changing storage requirements as possible responses; and clarify that appeals be filed first with the building principal.
Why it matters: The policy change stems from state-level direction and will affect daily routines, classroom management and exceptions for medical or individualized educational needs. Staff emphasized written exceptions for students with IEPs or medical orders and principal discretion for students with significant anxiety or specific educational needs.
Next steps and timeline: Because the executive order sets an Oct. 31 adoption deadline, the board asked staff to bring a revised, final-draft policy back for formal adoption at the next possible board meeting so the district can meet the mandated timeline and implement the policy by Jan. 1.
