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Grants Pass SD 7 board adopts personal electronic devices policy with written-exemption process
Summary
The Grants Pass SD 7 board approved a first-and-final reading of its personal electronic devices policy, adopting OSBA-supplied language and directing staff to publish a district exemption form that administrators will process (staff will respond within 10 days). Students who spoke said the policy has improved classroom engagement.
The Grants Pass SD 7 board approved a first-and-final reading of the district's personal electronic devices policy (JFCEB) at its Sept. 23 workshop after hearing from students and staff about implementation and exemptions.
Presenter Speaker 2 told the board that OSBA provided the sample language and that the policy must be adopted by Oct. 1 under the executive order. "OSBA came out with the sample policy," Speaker 2 said, noting the board's version largely follows that language while adding district-specific clarifications. The board moved and passed the item as a first-and-final reading.
Students who met with the board and spoke during the workshop described mostly positive classroom effects after the district's pilot. "It's been really positive, consistent enforcement, kids engaging in meaningful conversations with each other," one student (Speaker 8) said, adding that limited device use during class or for project work can be helpful.
A central point in the board's discussion was how the policy satisfies the executive order's three required elements. Board members directed staff to add bullet 0.3 to the administrative regulation: a district-specific written-exemption process. Speaker 1 read the executive-order phrasing aloud while clarifying implementation: "a written exemption provided for the student based on a process and guidelines adopted by the school district to allow school building administrators to accommodate the individual circumstances of a student or to further specific educational outcomes for a student." Staff said they will provide the district form (AR) and that school administration will respond to exemption requests within 10 full days of receipt.
Board members emphasized that the exemption process should not undermine the two mandatory carve-outs listed in the executive order (medical devices and other specifically enumerated uses), but should allow school administrators to handle individual circumstances (for example, a Dexcom or other medical device tied to a 504/IEP). Speaker 2 committed to drafting the AR and showing the form to the board before implementation.
The board approved the motion to adopt the policy as first and final reading by roll call; recorded votes were affirmative and the motion passed. The district will publish the exemption form and update handbooks and ARs to make the process and timelines explicit.
