District research finds several Oregon districts using bans or lock‑bags; board asks staff to draft plan

Redmond SD 2J staff briefed the board on research into cell phone and social‑media restrictions and proposed a path forward that includes stakeholder engagement, a principals’ working group, policy drafting, handbook updates and a communication campaign.

A district staff presenter told trustees that at least eight Oregon districts have some form of phone ban or restriction and summarized different approaches: full bans (devices kept in lockers or the school office), restrictions on social media access during school activities, and tiered enforcement that uses locked “Yondr” (phone lock) bags for students who repeatedly refuse to comply. The presenter said parents were consistently the largest source of resistance in other districts because many parents want…