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Hermiston board discusses governor's cell‑phone executive order and a sudden loss of federal grant funding
Summary
Superintendent Trisha Mooney updated the school board on an executive order restricting student cell‑phone use during instructional time and briefed members on a pause or withholding of several federal Title grants that together total about $555,000 — a change that will affect upcoming budgeting decisions.
Hermiston School District Superintendent Trisha Mooney told the school board on July 14 that a governor's executive order signed July 1 will effectively restrict student cell‑phone use during the instructional day and will require district policy and rulemaking ahead of an implementation date in January 2026.
"The executive order was signed on July 1," Mooney said. "The intent of the executive order was originally that there'd be no cell phones" from first bell to last bell, though she and staff said detail work remains.
Nut graf: The board discussed the rule‑making and operational questions the order raises, particularly at the high school where students typically do not have lockers and carry phones on their person. Mooney and secondary administrators are working on messaging and implementation details; Oregon School Boards Association (OSBA) guidance and a sample policy are expected.
Oper…
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