Board adopts personal electronic devices policy for immediate implementation

The Cascade SD 5 Board of Education voted unanimously Sept. 8 to adopt Policy JFCEB (Personal Electronic Devices) and JFCEB‑AR (Request for Personal Electronic Devices Exemption) for immediate implementation to meet a governor’s Executive Order requiring a policy by the end of October. The motion carried 4–0 after a staff presentation explaining the timeline and current practice.

Human Resources Director Mr. Weeks told the board the proposed policies "are being proposed for immediate adoption and are part of the Governor’s Executive Order. The Board needs to adopt a policy prior to the end of October, per the Executive Order. Administration felt that it was important to start the school year off with the policy prior to it being formally adopted by the Board. The proposed policies is currently being followed." The board voted 4 yes to adopt the policies immediately.

Administrators indicated the district had already been implementing the cellphone restrictions in practice, particularly at the high school where a new "no phone" policy is in place. High School Principal Mr. Rasmussen told the board that classroom time is being protected and that "Students are responding well" to the change. The board did not record any amendments to the policy language during the meeting.

Next steps: formal policy language will be maintained in board policy records and the administration will continue current enforcement while completing any required rule‑making or administrative filings made necessary by the governor’s order.