Proposed PPS district-wide cell phone ban policy gets mixed reaction

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — A proposed district-wide cell phone ban policy for Portland Public Schools is getting a mixed reaction.

Some have been critical of the idea of banning phones at lunch — not just during classes, an aspect of the policy currently being discussed by school district leaders

On Tuesday night, the PPS Board held the first reading of the proposed district-wide cell phone ban. The draft is now heading into a 21-day public comment period before a final vote. If approved, the policy may be adopted as soon as when the school year resumes after winter break.

"We've spent about six months listening to students, surveying staff, surveying students, as well, listening to parents — a lot of people have opinions," said PPS Board Member Julia Brim-Edwards.

Brim-Edwards said in its current form, the cell phone proposal would require middle and high school students to keep phones turned off and put away during class. Middle schoolers would need to keep them turned off all day unless needed for academics, while high schoolers could only use them during lunch.

PPS Board Chair Eddie Wang proposed an amendment to the policy which would make phones not allowed even during lunch for high schoolers, with exceptions for students with individual education plans, academic needs or health concerns. Phones could still be used in an emergency under the proposal.

Benson Polytechnic High School Teacher J.T. Homburg said he supports adopting rules similar to Grant High School, which keeps phones turned off and put away but in secure pouches.

"They've done a great job. I was there for an hour and a half. I was there during passing time. I was there when they were teaching classes and I tried really hard to spot a cell phone and I couldn't spot one."

Homburg acknowledged the perceived drawbacks among community members of having phones inaccessible to students for the entire day.

"The worry about an all-day ban is the safety component," Homburg said. "It seems the big hangup right now is lunchtime."

A survey of more than 2,000 PPS high school students shows most of them actually want a written cell phone policy of some kind. However, it's now up to the district to decide how to store the phones and when to take them away.

"But we all agree, like, it's not during class time," Brim-Edwards said.

After the 21-day public comment period, the PPS Board will review any feedback. If needed, the policy may go back for more input. However, if there aren't any major changes, a final vote could take place at the next board meeting after the comment period ends.