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Board holds first reading of new personal electronic devices policy; community feedback to continue
Summary
The Vancouver school board held a first reading of policy 2010, titled "Personal Electronic Devices," which would restrict device use during the school day (elementary) and during instructional periods (middle/high). The policy is a draft and will return for a second reading and vote after further community input.
Taylor Richmond presented the first reading of policy 2010, "Personal Electronic Devices," describing it as the culmination of a yearlong process of research and advisory input.
The draft restricts students' use of devices that access the Internet — including phones, earbuds and gaming devices — during the school day for elementary students and during instructional periods for middle and high school students. The draft includes exceptions for legally required disability accommodations and a framework for addressing noncompliance.
"We're calling it personal electronic devices, because we want to make clear that it applies not just to cell phones, but to other similar type devices that access the Internet," Richmond said. The board emphasized that the item tonight was a first reading; a second reading and possible adoption are scheduled for June, and the district anticipates implementation in the 2025‑26 school year if adopted.
Several directors praised the community engagement process. Director Smith said the community engagement and advisory input helped build consensus and called the policy "a good start," while other directors noted they will continue to collect feedback and refine the policy after implementation. No vote was taken at the meeting; the board encouraged parents, staff and students to use the district's online feedback tools to submit comments ahead of the next reading.
