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Personal Electronic Devices Policy

Mapleton School District 32

Code:                        JFCEB

Adopted:                   1/14/10 Revised/Readopted:   4/09/14; 11/09/16; 9/17/25 Orig. Code:               JFCEB

 

Personal Electronic Devices**

 

Student use of a personal electronic device is prohibited from the start of regular instructional hours until the end of regular instructional hours, except as provided below.

 

Except as otherwise provided in this policy, “personal electronic device” means any portable, electrically powered device that is capable of making and receiving calls and text messages and accessing the internet independently from the school’s network infrastructure. This includes watches, headphones and earbuds attached to personal electronic devices. This does not include a laptop computer or other device required to support academic activities.

 

Personal electronic devices may be used when use complies with the terms of:

  1. The student’s medical provider’s order for the care and treatment of a medicalcondition;1
  2. The student’s individualized education program, as defined in ORS 343.035 or an educationplan developed for the student in accordance with section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973(29

U.S.C. § 794);2

  1. A written exemption provided for the student based on a request received in JFCEB-AR. School administration will respond to such a request within 10 schooldays.3

Personal electronic devices may be kept by students in lockers or backpacks, but personal electronic devices are not to be stored on the student’s person or in the student’s clothing during regular instructional hours.

 

Students in violation of this policy will be subject to disciplinary action. Discipline for mere possession or use of a personal electronic device may not include loss of instructional time for the student (including suspension or expulsion), but could include detention, Friday school, a change to storage requirements, etc.4. However, if the actions taken by a student violate another conduct policy, the student may be subject to discipline up to and including expulsion.5

 

 

1 JFCEB-AR must be submitted to the building administrator, along with a copy of the order.

2 If use of the personal electronic device is included in the individualized education program or education plan, JFCEB-AR submission is not required.

3 JFCEB-AR must be submitted to the building administrator.

4 Correction may include requiring a student to store their device in a classroom storage space instead of in the backpack.

5 For example: a student could be disciplined with lost instructional time for using a personal electronic device to bully another student or for accessing inappropriate content. Discipline will be in accordance with Board policies.

 

Steps may include:

 

  1. First instance of Noncompliance: staff will give the student a verbal reminder of the policyand expectations to reinforce appropriate use of personal electronicdevices.

 

  1. Second Instance of Noncompliance: the device will be temporarily confiscated and held andthe front office until the end of the school day. Parents or guardians will benotified.

 

  1. Third Instance of Noncompliance: the device will again be temporarily held, and parents or guardians will need to pick up the device. A meeting with school administration and family will be arranged to review the policy and plan for improvedcompliance.

 

  1. Beyond Third Instance of Noncompliance: if noncompliance continues, schools will determine additional appropriate consequences, always prioritizing keeping students in class and engaged in learning.

 

Necessary communications during the school day while on school grounds between students and parents or guardians can be made through the school office.

 

The superintendent or designee shall ensure this policy is posted on the district website and made available to district personnel, students, parents, guardians, partners who are in school buildings during the school day, and the Oregon Department of Education.

 

In accordance with ORS 336.840, students may be allowed to use personal electronic devices6 that support academic activities and independent communications7, except as prohibited by this policy. In academic activities in which a personal electronic device is required as part of the curriculum, students may be allowed, but not required to use their own personal electronic devices for that portion of the curriculum.

Students using their own device must be granted access to any applications or electronic materials that are available to students who do not use their own personal electronic devices. These applications must be free of charge if students who do not use their own devices have access free of charge.

 

Requests for exemptions to this policy can be processed in accordance with JFCEB-AR - Request for Personal Electronic Devices Exception. Appeals can be filed in accordance with KL-AR(1) – Public Complaint Procedure.

 

END OF POLICY

 

 

Legal Reference(s):

 

ORS 332.107                                                      ORS 336.840

 

Oregon Executive Order 25-09

 

 

6 The use of “personal electronic device” in this paragraph comes from ORS 336.840, which does not define the term. However, the definition in EO 25-09 wouldn’t necessarily apply. Consequently, items like laptop computers or other devices required to support academic activities would likely be considered personal electronic devices within this paragraph.

7 “Independent communication” means communication that does not require assistance or interpretation by an individual who is not part of the conversation, but that may require the use or assistance of an electronic device. ORS 336.840(1).