Tigard-Tualatin board holds first read of state-driven ban on student personal devices; handbook update to follow

Chair Zerschmid, presiding over the Tigard-Tualatin School District 23J Board of Directors, led a first reading Tuesday of a new policy to implement a statewide "bell-to-bell" restriction on personal electronic devices in schools, saying the governor27s executive order requires districts to adopt a rule that specifies how phones and similar devices must be stored during the school day.

The board was presented with a draft that would require personal electronic devices to be stored in backpacks, lockers or small bags ("not in your person") from the start bell until dismissal, with limited exceptions for medical needs and individualized education program (IEP) or Section 504 accommodations. Superintendent-level staff and administrators told the board they are drafting an accompanying administrative regulation and updates to the Student Rights and Responsibilities Handbook to align with the policy.

Why it matters: The governor issued an executive order on July 2 directing Oregon school districts to prohibit student access to cell phones during instructional hours. The change, board members said, will affect classroom management, student privacy concerns and families who rely on phones for contact during commutes. The district intends to finalize policy language before the start of school so expectations are clear for staff, students and parents.

Board discussion and planning

Director Reed, who introduced the policies to the board, described the change as "essentially a new policy" and stressed it is still a work in progress. "ODE has not yet finished writing the rules," Reed said, adding that updates from the Oregon School Boards Association have been frequent and the draft the board received may change before a second reading.

Chair Zerschmid told the board: "I should start with saying the executive order starts with it must be a bell to bell ban on cell phones in schools." She said the district27s current draft would allow device use on buses to and from school so parents can confirm arrival and would rely on an administrative exemption form for families with documented reasons for daytime access.

Eric Nesi, administrator leading handbook revisions, told the board the handbook draft will specify storage requirements and the disciplinary matrix tied to violations. "Devices have to be stored in the locker, backpack, small bag, but not in your person," Nesi said. He added that violations remain tiered under the district27s disciplinary framework and the handbook language will be updated once the policy is finalized.

Exceptions and operational questions

Board members pressed for detail on exemptions and implementation. Director Hymans asked for clarification on "bell-to-bell" versus instructional time; Chair Zerschmid and staff said bell-to-bell covers the full school day (e.g., 9 a.m. to dismissal) while instructional-time definitions had previously allowed limited use during passing periods and lunch.

Board members raised the following implementation issues that staff said they will address in administrative rules and rollout plans: - Exemptions for students with IEPs and 504 plans will be handled through existing team processes and written into plans where appropriate; staff said they will emphasize to educators the need to review those accommodations so students are not disciplined for required device use. - An administrative review (AR) form will allow parents to request a daytime-access exception when families have specific, documented needs (for example safety concerns). The board discussed keeping the exemption process accessible without making it so broad that whole schools or grade levels receive blanket exemptions. - Classroom and curriculum needs: staff said academic activities requiring personal devices (for example, certain IB coursework or two-factor authentication) will be allowed under the policy and identified in the handbook. - Materials and costs: staff said the district will try to limit costs and is not planning district-wide purchases such as specialized pouches; the district expects to rely on existing storage practices in many schools.

Voices from the board and community

Director Weston described the change as "an opportunity to have all of our schools following the same policy together" and said she expects positive impacts on classroom engagement and student mental health. Vice Chair Urban and other board members noted that much of the district had already been moving in this direction the past two years, and they characterized the new rule as a tightening and district-wide standardization of prior practice.

Several board members asked for careful communications to families and a straightforward exemption pathway. Director Kinch and others urged clear rollouts at the school level to avoid escalating discipline for students who have documented medical or safety needs.

What the board did (and did not do)

This item was a first reading and no vote was taken to adopt policy. The board asked staff to continue refining the policy and the Student Rights and Responsibilities Handbook and return for a second reading with finalized language. Eric Nesi, Director Pulaski and other administrators said they will work with principals and communications staff to complete administrative rules and guidance before the start of school.

Next steps

Board members asked that the district present the final policy and the aligned handbook language at the second read and that student representatives be part of implementation feedback. Staff said they would continue to consult Oregon Department of Education guidance and OSBA updates as the state finalizes implementing rules.