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Board forms steering committee to craft student cell‑phone policy
Summary
Dufur SD 29's board voted unanimously to create a steering committee to draft a student device and cell‑phone policy, tasking the chair and superintendent to appoint members and asking for teacher and student representation.
Dufur School District 29’s board voted to form a steering committee to develop a districtwide student device and cell‑phone policy after members pressed for faster action to address classroom distraction and student wellbeing.
Janet, a board member who led the call for urgency, said the evidence is clear that phones affect learning and behavior: “we know it affects the kids. We know it affects their learning. We know it affects bullying,” she said during the discussion, urging a stronger policy sooner rather than later. Several board members echoed her view that a unified policy would make enforcement easier for teachers.
Board discussion balanced rapid implementation with the need for teacher buy‑in. One board member described a phased approach that could include short‑term steps (off‑and‑away classroom rules) while a multi‑stakeholder team refines final language. The chair asked that the committee include teachers, classified staff, community members and two board members; Tim and Jamie volunteered to serve.
A motion to create the steering committee, allowing the chair and superintendent to finalize appointments, passed unanimously. The board directed the committee to meet promptly and return a recommended policy or implementation timeline by the next regular meeting.
