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Superintendent: state device ban rolled out; early enrollment dip and state revenue forecast pose budget risk
Summary
Superintendent Richardson reported implementation of Executive Order 2509 banning personal electronic devices during school hours, described a mostly smooth rollout but ongoing exception-policy work, and warned the district is tracking a 156-student enrollment decline while the state's revenue forecast shows significant downward revisions that could affect future funding.
Superintendent Richardson briefed the board on developments with a statewide device ban and an early enrollment and revenue outlook at the Sept. 11 meeting.
Richardson said Governor Tina Kotek's Executive Order 2509 (effective July 2, 2025) directs K–12 schools to prohibit personal electronic devices, such as smartphones and smartwatches, during the school day. "We rolled that out; overall, I think it's been very smooth," he told the board, adding that the district is still finalizing an exceptions process for students with IEPs or 504 plans.
On enrollment and budget outlook, Richardson said district enrollment was tracking down about 156 students compared with projections, and he flagged a state revenue forecast that showed an $888 million downward movement. He explained the potential broader impacts from federal budget changes (HR1) that could mean cuts to state services and indirect pressures on districts. "We're tracking it closely," he said, and urged board and community advocacy to protect funding.
Richardson also listed operational highlights — buses and transportation data, curriculum deliveries, material rollouts, and the smooth opening of the school year — but emphasized the need for a board workshop later in the fall to review enrollment, payroll cycles and budget projections when more data are available.
Board members asked questions about the exceptions process for the device ban, requested clarity on which families or students were leaving the district, and discussed the potential community impacts as state and federal changes take effect.
