Parkrose SD 3 moves toward a districtwide personal-device rule; board will review administrative proposal

Superintendent Lopes presented a draft administrative rule to the Parkrose School District board that would set districtwide expectations for student personal devices — defined to include phones, earbuds, smart watches and other electronic wearables — and asked principals and staff to develop school-level implementation plans for board review.

Lopes said the draft policy aims for alignment across elementary, middle and high schools while recognizing different contexts: lockers at the middle school, homeroom management, and greater student responsibility at the high school. "I want something that our staff feels like they can implement, but also something that we can support administratively," Lopes said, noting the district will not accept liability for lost or stolen phones except where there is clear evidence of district responsibility.

Why it matters: Teachers and parent leaders told the board that clear, simple guidance and strong communication to families will be critical. A middle-school teacher who spoke during the meeting recommended a small number of straightforward steps and consistent enforcement, and PFA leader Talia Campbell emphasized the need to prepare families for exceptions such as emergency contact needs.

Key proposals and concerns: Lopes described several implementation options being discussed with principals — keeping phones in lockers, homeroom check-ins, backpack storage, or classroom pocket charts — and said schools will return final drafts for board review. Teachers urged training and administrative support to avoid adding onerous tracking or disciplinary paperwork. Practical details the board raised included bathroom use, the role of warnings and consequences, and whether students should check phones into the office after repeated misuse.

Next steps: Lopes said she will present an administrative rule for board review and expected to bring a more detailed policy for action in August if no state law supplants the district approach. "I have given the next couple weeks for the schools to kinda give their final draft plans and what you all would take a look at," Lopes said. The board asked staff to prepare clear family-facing communications and back-to-school materials explaining the "why" behind the change.

Ending: Board members signaled support for a straightforward, uniform approach with training and administrative backup. Teachers and PFA representatives emphasized communication, consistent enforcement and planning for students who need access for transportation or family reasons.