Lake Oswego School Board officially approves new cell phone restrictions

It’s official. Lake Oswego students’ cell phones must be “off and away” during school hours throughout the 2024-25 school year.

The Lake Oswego School District School Board voted to approve policy JFCEB “Personal Electronic Devices and Social Media” during its Monday, Aug. 26 meeting.

The new policy requires that all cell phones, personal electronic devices and smartwatches are turned off and put away during the school day at all district schools.

Students who are using their devices during the school day will go through the disciplinary process “for using a personal electronic device in any manner that is academically dishonest, illegal or violates the terms of this policy. Personal electronic devices brought to district property or used in violation of this policy are subject to confiscation and will be released to the student’s guardian or property owner, as appropriate.”

The board’s discussion was dominated by the wording of the new policy and addressing questions about cell phone usage in school life.

“Off and away” was included because it provides broad enforcement for teachers and administrators.

“This is going to happen at a state level next spring,” said board member Kirsten Aird. “This is going to be in the Legislature; they’re going to pass it. There is going to be a state ban. We’ve had a number of districts who have done this across the state and a number who are doing this across the country. I’m hearing more and more about this every day. We are going to fail forward. We’re going to try some stuff. We’re going to try to be as clear as possible so that we have a successful implementation. But this is happening.”

The district is taking a middle-ground approach regarding cell phones at school, an issue that has made its way into classroom discussions around the country.

The policy is harsher than districts or schools that have yet to establish a concrete policy restricting cell phone use at schools, instead relying on a practice or positive pattern of behavior.

However, LOSD is taking a lighter touch than neighboring districts like North Clackamas and Portland Public Schools. Both began pilot programs with the magnetically-sealed Yondr pouches over the last year. With this system, students’ phones are locked away for the entire school day, although many students critical of the pouches say that the magnets are easily circumvented and the cost of the pouches is a waste of money.

“At the end of the day, if we can craft a policy that is viable and enforceable and we don’t have to invest $300,000 in Yondr (pouches) I think it’s win-win,” said board member Brian Bills.

Three parents joined the Aug. 26 meeting for public comment, voicing their concerns about the district’s new personal electronics policy. The parents’ comments focused on safety, health management, communication with parents and learning to use cell phones responsibly before starting college or entering the workforce.