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Board discusses governor’s executive order on student cell phones and delays elementary science adoption
Summary
Trustees heard clarification on a required personal electronic device policy (adopt by Oct. 31; implement Jan. 1) and staff described a student‑facing lesson and exemption process. The board also approved delaying an elementary science adoption to align future adoptions with social studies and local performance assessments.
At the Oct. 14 meeting the Bend‑LaPine Board of Directors reviewed a required personal electronic device policy and discussed the district’s approach to implementation and education.
Superintendent Dr. Steven Cook and district staff told the board the district must adopt and implement a personal electronic device policy in response to the governor’s executive order: adoption by Oct. 31 and implementation by Jan. 1 were noted in the packet. Staff described a policy change broadening the district’s use of the phrase "often away" to clarify that a device kept in a backpack can meet the policy expectation. District representatives and student leaders raised concerns about confusion over enforcement (for example, whether devices must be left in lockers or cars) and special‑case exemptions (medical needs such as diabetes monitoring).
Kinsey Martin, the district’s executive director of policy advocacy and equity, outlined a student‑facing lesson in development to explain the policy’s rationale, mental‑health research and the exemption process; teachers and BEA representatives will review materials and the district planned to roll the lesson out to students between November and December, with additional staff calibration. Student voice council members and directors pressed staff for earlier and clearer communications to reduce confusion prior to January.
Separately, staff clarified that a proposed K‑5 science instructional materials adoption is being delayed (a request to delay was included in the consent materials) so the district can align science and social studies adoptions and embed local performance assessments; staff said there is no elementary piloting underway and that the delay would span approximately two years in order to synchronize adoption cycles.
Why it matters: The executive order and accompanying district policy change have direct effects on daily classroom operations, student expectations and equity considerations (exemptions for medical need or instructional use). Clear communications and teacher training were identified as priorities to ensure consistent enforcement and minimal disruption.
Next steps: Staff will finalize and share the student‑facing lesson and guidance for administrators and teachers, and return with any required revisions to the board as implementation proceeds.
