North Wasco board hears Middle School data as it weighs districtwide cell‑phone policy

The North Wasco County School District board on Aug. 21 heard extended testimony from Dallas Middle School staff and teachers urging the district to adopt a strict, enforceable cell‑phone policy modeled on the middle school’s 2023–24 pilot. The board held a first reading of a proposed update to the district’s personal electronic device policy, took public comment and directed staff to return with refined language that incorporates clear consequences and campus storage options before a second reading.

The pilot, presented by Dallas Middle School Principal Sherry Kilgore, showed what school staff described as large reductions in phone incidents after the school implemented an “Off and Away All Day” rule. Teacher Alisa Long said first‑offense reports fell from 217 (in a prior combined year) to 97 in the pilot year; repeat offenses dropped to five for the whole school year. Long estimated that each first‑offense contact home consumed about five minutes of staff time and said the policy reduced lost instructional minutes caused by students repeatedly leaving class to check phones. Eighth‑grade teacher Amanda Moreno told the board the pilot succeeded because the rule was communicated to families, reinforced by staff and tracked centrally by administration rather than by every classroom teacher.

Board members, including Director Kelly and Chair Betsy Hagee, repeatedly referenced an executive order from Governor Tina Kotek (Executive Order No. 25‑09 was cited in testimony) and the Oregon Department of Education rule‑making that will follow the new law. Superintendent Carolyn Bernal told the board the executive order requires districts to adopt a policy by Oct. 31 and to implement it by year‑end; she said principals prefer to have a clear policy in place at the start of the school year but noted administrators and site staff have not yet completed site‑level planning and training.

Several board members, including Director Kelly and Director Pauline, recommended that the district preserve the clear consequence path used at Dallas Middle School while allowing campuses some operational flexibility about where devices are stored (lockers, backpacks, teacher boxes or front office). Director Kelly read recommended consequence steps for noncompliance aloud: first and second incidents—device temporarily held at the front office for the day and parent/caregiver notified with device retrieved at day’s end; third incident—device held, parent notified, major referral and detention; subsequent incidents—same consequences plus a required meeting with parent/caregiver and administrator to formulate a compliance plan. Kelly also recommended a brief “warning week” and a statement that the district is not liable for personal devices brought to campus.

Board discussion emphasized two points: (1) staff asked for firm, consistent consequences so teachers and administrators could enforce rules without inconsistency across sites; and (2) several directors favored keeping the policy high‑level while placing operational detail (storage, tracking mechanics) in administrative regulations or the student handbook. The board agreed staff should solicit feedback from principals and school staff during the first weeks of school and bring revised language back at the second reading. Directors also suggested using the middle school’s parent communication as a template for district communications.

No formal vote was taken. The board’s direction to staff included: return with revised policy language that incorporates the consequence steps discussed, a communication plan for parents and students, and proposed campus storage options; allow campuses to pilot implementation as they prepare for the school year; and report back at the board retreat and the next formal meeting prior to adoption.