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Board hears governor's proposed K—12 device ban; district to study implementation
Summary
Board members were briefed on a governor-proposed statewide policy that would require K—12 students to keep personal smart devices away from the school day if enacted; the district plans a July work-committee presentation and will assess monitoring, staff expectations and medical accommodations.
A board member told the Othello School District Board that the governor has proposed a statewide policy to require K—12 students to keep personal smart devices —including phones and smartwatches— away from school from the first bell to the last bell if the legislature approves it. The presenter said the measure would be voted on in the next legislative session and, if enacted, would take effect in fall 2027.
The board member said the governor's proposal is stricter than the district's current policy, which allows phones to be used at lunch and passing periods and permits teacher-directed use during instruction. "This proposition is for all students K12 [to] keep personal smart devices including phones and smartwatches away during the school day from the first bell to the last bell," the presenter said during the report.
The presenter and board members discussed practical implications the district will need to address if the proposal advances: how the district would monitor and control devices, procedures for collecting devices, how to treat teacher wearables such as smartwatches, and arrangements for students with medical accommodations who need access to devices. Staff said the district expects to report back with a work-committee update and a presentation at the end of July; Denise Mirich, the principal at Scutney, has led a local committee that will inform the district's recommendations.
Board members noted that many districts already have restrictive rules; the presenter said roughly three-quarters of Washington districts use policies that limit device presence during instructional time. Board members asked whether the governor's stated goals—reducing screen time and classroom distractions and increasing face-to-face engagement—were the driving rationale; the presenter said the governor framed the proposal around those concerns.
The board did not take action on the item; staff advised the board to expect more information and a formal recommendation should the legislature move the proposal forward.
