Board reviews updated policies including cell-phone rule, graduation requirements and program-exemption process

Hermiston School District trustees reviewed a package of policy updates on Oct. 13 including proposed language on program exemptions, graduation requirements and a new policy and administrative rule on personal electronic devices.

The nut graf: the policies are OSBA (Oregon School Boards Association) recommendations; the board conducted a first read and selected specific options to be returned for a formal second read and action at a future meeting.

During the policy discussion, staff recommended that program exemption requests be submitted first to the classroom teacher, with escalation to a principal only if needed. Board members raised practical questions about emergency teacher absences and suggested teachers should copy principals on requests in cases where the teacher is unavailable.

On graduation requirements (policy IKF), OSBA language referencing the International Baccalaureate program was struck because the district does not offer IB; board members also discussed boilerplate waiver language that allows districts to grant waivers if they require more than the state’s minimum credits. Staff said the district’s standard diploma follows the state-required 24-credit threshold and the waiver clause is required boilerplate language from ORS; the board asked staff to clarify that the district itself does not require credits beyond the state minimum in the final draft.

The most extensive discussion addressed the proposed personal electronic device policy and a related administrative exemption form. Staff recommended prohibiting student use of devices during regular instructional hours rather than banning possession on district property, citing safety and practicality for families. "I did just want to briefly note that, it is that time of year that property tax statements will be coming out into mailboxes near you," Katie Sol said earlier in the meeting while speaking to tax statements; during the cell-phone discussion Dr. Mooney and board members asked for clarification on when devices could be used (for example, on buses or during field trips) and how appeals and exemptions would be processed. Staff recommended that exemption requests be submitted to the principal and that exemptions be granted for the current school year and refiled annually.

Board members debated enforcement language — including whether to use the term "confiscated" or "surrendered" for devices taken by staff — and agreed the administrative form should require a principal-level decision and provide room to document follow-up. The board instructed staff to bring back the policies with the board’s selected language highlighted for a second read and formal action at a subsequent meeting.

No final policy adoptions occurred at this meeting; the package will return for a second reading with the chosen language highlighted.