Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Personal Device Policy topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Students say Parkrose personal-device rule manageable; district monitoring results
Summary
After the district introduced a new personal-device rule this school year, superintendent and student representatives reported generally positive early feedback but identified classroom-use and emergency-communication questions to monitor.
Parkrose School District leaders and student representatives discussed the new personal-device rule during the Sept. 8 working session, with students reporting largely manageable early experiences and administrators saying they will monitor the policy’s effect on instruction and safety.
Superintendent Michael Lopez summarized the district’s approach and acknowledged that an executive order changed some elements of the district’s planned rollout. Lopez said Parkrose has allowed students limited phone access during passing time and lunch at the high school while middle-school devices are held in homeroom boxes. “We are one of the few schools that’s actually allowing students to have their phones during passing time and lunchtime,” Lopez said.
Student representatives described mixed but largely positive early reactions. One student representative said, “I actually don't think it's been that bad,” adding that students felt more present and were talking to each other more in hallways. Students noted classroom challenges when they relied on phones to take photos of notes or otherwise capture material quickly.
Board members and administrators raised two recurring concerns: emergency communications and the anxiety that devices may produce for some students. Lopez said the district is focused on clarifying emergency procedures and communication protocols and will continue adjusting guidance as staff gather feedback.
No change to district policy was adopted at the meeting; board members directed staff to monitor the rule’s implementation and report back with findings and recommended adjustments if needed.
