District outlines rollout of state‑mandated student cell‑phone policy; student lesson, exemptions planned

Bend‑LaPine School District 1 staff told the board Oct. 14 they are preparing to implement a state‑mandated personal‑electronic‑device policy and will pursue local adoption and a districtwide student lesson before the January 1 enforcement date.

Deputy Superintendent and chief policy staff identified the rule as a governor’s executive order that requires districts to adopt a personal electronic device policy by Oct. 31 and implement it by Jan. 1. The draft policy under review broadens the definition of “in possession of” to include devices stored in a backpack and clarifies circumstances in which devices will be allowed.

Superintendent Steven Cook told the board that, while the district meets the governor’s requirements for K–8 practice, high school rules will become more restrictive under the order. He cited medically necessary exemptions as a clear example: “For example, if a student is a diabetic and they use an app on their phone to help them monitor their blood sugar, that would be an easily qualifiable exception.”

Kinsey Martin, executive director for policy advocacy and equity, described the district’s planned student‑facing lesson and related rollout. Martin said the lesson will explain the state requirement, outline what “often away” means in practice, walk students through allowable exemptions, and describe consequences for violations. The student voice council is scheduled to review the lesson at its Nov. 4 meeting; teachers and bargaining units will be invited to provide feedback before the district distributes the materials to classrooms.

Students who spoke at the meeting urged clear and early communication. Brody Smith, a student representative, said some students worry that “off campus” language could be misinterpreted and that more guidance on enforcement would ease anxiety. A sophomore student, Olivia Scott, said that in some La Pine buildings cell reception is poor and that many students already store phones in backpacks; she asked the district to emphasize that the policy will not prevent students from accessing phones when off campus or in clearly defined exceptions.

District staff said they are preparing training materials and an explanation for families and staff in November and December and will work with administrators to calibrate exemptions and enforcement.

Ending The board reviewed the draft as part of the consent‑for‑information packet and did not vote on adoption at the Oct. 14 meeting. Staff requested the board’s direction and said they would return with implementation details and the finalized policy for the Oct. 31 adoption deadline.