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Forest Grove board voices opposition to Senate Bill 916, flags cell‑phone concerns for students
Summary
The Forest Grove School Board read testimony opposing Senate Bill 916 and discussed several pending education bills and a House proposal on student cell‑phone use, citing potential fiscal and operational impacts on the district.
The Forest Grove School Board on Tuesday read testimony opposing Senate Bill 916 and discussed several other pending education bills and a House proposal on student cell‑phone restrictions that students and board members said could complicate family communication.
The board publicized its position during the May 13 meeting, saying, "On behalf of the Forest Grove School Board, we stand in strong opposition to senate bill 9 16." The statement described the bill as "fiscally irresponsible, operationally unworkable, and educationally damaging," and warned the district could face rapid financial shortfalls if required to pay unemployment during strikes.
Why it matters: board members and district leaders said legislative changes that mandate new district costs or prescriptive policies without added funding would directly reduce classroom resources. The board linked its concern over SB 916 to other bills under debate, including a class‑size bill and a climate‑change curriculum bill, and urged caution about unfunded mandates.
District staff and board members said the board has been active in legislative advocacy and in communicating concerns to state lawmakers. The meeting record notes the district testified and conveyed its view that drafting specific disciplinary consequences into statute is not the appropriate means to govern local school discipline policy.
Students at the high school also raised worries about a separate House bill on cell phones. The student advisor said, "we're all a little worried about the cell phones," explaining some students rely on phones to coordinate family responsibilities such as picking up siblings or family members from work.
District leaders said multiple education bills remain in process and could change before final votes. Superintendent Dr. Suzanne West and board members said some bills could die in committee while others might accelerate in the legislative calendar. No formal board vote adopting a resolution was recorded during the meeting; the board read its previously prepared testimony and encouraged continued local advocacy.
Board member actions and next steps included continuing to monitor legislation, submit testimony, and provide information to legislators and the community as bills move through the final weeks of the session.
