Portland schools consider banning cellphones to boost focus, seek feedback

The Portland Public Schools board is considering a draft policy that would ban cellphone use during the day.

Board member and policy committee chair Julia Brim-Edwards tells KATU this is just the first part of a longer process.

“We are gonna spend the summer and the fall soliciting feedback from parents, students, principals, office staff. We want to be very thoughtful about this.” says Brim-Edwards.

The district will also collect data this upcoming school year from Grant High School, where students will lock their phones in pouches during the school day.

“I’d be okay with some kind of policy that says to keep it in lockers from first bell to last bell,” says PPS parent John Worona.

“Active phones are just a clear problem for education. It only takes one or two kids on their phone to disturb a classroom,” says PPS parent Ethan Smith.

Under the draft policy if a student is caught using their phone – a teacher can confiscate it and a parent will need to come pick it up.

“I think that gonna be a challenge, especially for folks who work nine to five. Even if you work hybrid or remote that’s still an interruption in your day,” says Worona.

Brim-Edwards says they hope it would not come to that and that they are open to feedback as some things in the draft could change.

PPS is asking for feedback and will answer questions about the draft policy. You can email them at [email protected].