Portland Public Schools board divided over potential cell phone ban

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) – Board members of Portland Public Schools are divided on a new draft policy that could ban student cell phone use in school district-wide.

During a meeting on Monday, board members discussed a draft policy for Personal Electronic Device use in school, which would implement an "off and away" policy for phones and tablets. The policy would require students to keep their phones stored in backpacks, lockers, or their pockets during class unless they are needed for educational purposes.

While the board members reached a consensus on adopting an "off and away" policy, they have mixed views on whether to ban phones all day or to allow students to use phones during their lunch period.

“One of the biggest problems people keep referring to is that it’s a power struggle, that teachers have to constantly have these power struggles with students. So, my personal preference would be something that’s really strict and then it gives principals the right to grant exceptions,” said Board Chair Eddie Wang, noting the policy should include exceptions in which principals determine if phones should be allowed during lunch.

Wang added that he’s worried the board is elevating a policy that hasn't been working because the "off and away" policies are already implemented in most schools in the district.

Vice Chair Michelle DePass and Board member Patte Sullivan echoed Wang's views on banning phones all day while other board members including Gary Hollands and Student Representative JJ Kunsevi were in favor of allowing phone use during lunch.

During Monday's meeting, board members were also presented the findings of a PPS study about high schooler's attitudes towards cell phone policies -- finding a majority of PPS high school students support "off and away" policies, but call for some flexibility, such as allowing phone use during lunch, and having access to phones in case of emergency.

A PPS spokesperson emphasized this was a draft policy meeting and nothing will be finalized for "quite a while," citing board reading, voting and public comment procedures.