Estacada district to enforce statewide ban on student cell phones beginning this school year

The Estacada School Board discussed implementation of a statewide executive order banning student use of personal electronic devices during the school day and approved a district policy to begin enforcing the rule at the start of the school year.

Superintendent (name not specified) told the board the district will interpret the executive order so that high school and middle school students must stow cell phones, earphones and smart watches when the tardy bell rings; devices may be used on school buses and before students enter classrooms. "We believe in an effective way while still building great relationships, giving grace and patience to kids and families while still doing our best to uphold that law," the superintendent said.

The policy, part of the consent agenda that passed by voice vote, specifies that elementary teachers will treat the classroom morning meeting and end‑of‑day meeting as the bounds of the school day for phone restrictions. Administrators said the district will require two‑way communication devices to be kept in a student’s backpack or locker during the school day; that approach, officials said, preserves parents’ ability to track a student’s location while reducing distractions in class.

The district expects to use a progressive disciplinary approach. The superintendent outlined a three‑strike model: a first offense prompts a reminder; a second offense leads staff to collect the device and return it at the end of the day; a third offense requires an in‑person meeting with parents, the student and administrators before the device is returned and could lead to lunch detention, after‑school detention or Saturday school. The district said the governor’s directive discourages removing instructional time as punishment, so out‑of‑school suspension would not be the routine response to a phone violation.

Administrators told the board they had prepared FAQs and communication materials for families and planned pre‑start outreach so parents and students are not surprised on day one. The superintendent also noted exceptions would be available for documented medical needs or individualized education plan (IEP) accommodations.

Board members and the superintendent acknowledged the policy will shift enforcement work onto school staff and thanked employees in advance for taking on the additional supervision. Several board members noted the state mandate was imposed without dedicated funding. "This will be a heavy lift," one board member said, thanking staff for their anticipated work.

The board approved the consent agenda including the cell phone policy; administration said it will begin communicating logistics and supports to families immediately.