Dallas School District Cell Phone Policy

Cell Phone Policy Update at Dallas High School

Dallas High School is seeing positive results from the student cell phone policy aligned with the Governor’s statewide ban and the Dallas School Board policy.

Benefits include:

Improved focus and learning in classrooms
More face-to-face interaction during lunch and passing times
Stronger student connection and school climate

Students may bring phones to school, but they must remain out of sight and sound during the school day.

Technology remains an important part of learning at DHS through school-issued devices and classroom tools. This policy helps limit personal device distractions so students can stay engaged.

DHS will continue to review expectations with students in as the start of the semester progresses.

Dallas School District Cell Phone Policy

New Panel

New Panel

Dallas School District 2

Code: JFCEB

Adopted: 8/25/25

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. Personal electronic devices can be used when students are not on school grounds and are not under the supervision of school personnel (other than a school bus driver)¹ .

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.² This includes headphones and earbuds connected 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:

The student’s medical provider’s order for the care and treatment of a medical condition;³
The student’s individualized education program, as defined in ORS 343.035 or an education plan developed for the student in accordance with section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. § 794);⁴
A written exception provided for the student based on a request received in a Request for a Personal Electronic Device Exception form. School administration will respond to such a request within 10 school days.⁵

Personal electronic devices must be silenced or turned off and put away. Students are expected to follow school expectations for proper storage of personal electronic devices. Examples of proper storage are pouches, lockers, backpacks, etc. Personal electronic devices are not to be stored on the student’s person or in the student’s clothing.

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 (suspension or expulsion), but could include non-exclusionary forms of discipline such as detention, loss of privileges, exclusion from extra-curricular activities, etc. However, if the actions taken by a student violate another conduct policy, the student may be subject to discipline up to and including expulsion.⁶ Schools will follow discipline procedures as described in their student handbooks.

Necessary communications between students and parents or caregivers can be made through the school office.

The district will not be liable for theft or damage to personal electronic devices brought to district property and district-sponsored activities.

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 devices⁷ that support academic activities and independent communications8 , except as prohibited by this policy.

Requests for exceptions to this policy can be processed through a Request for Personal Electronic Devices Exception form. Appeals can be filed with the superintendent or designee in accordance with KL-AR, Public Complaints.

END OF POLICY

If students are under the supervision of school personnel other than a school bus driver, the use of personal electronic devices is prohibited during regular instructional hours.
ODE’s guidance Fostering Student Learning, Well-Being, and Belonging provides: “This includes personal electronic devices that can make calls, send texts, or access the internet via cellular data are restricted. This includes smartphones, web-enabled flip phones, cellular-capable tablets and e-readers, smartwatches, smart glasses, and connected headphones or earbuds. This does not include laptop computers or other devices required to support academic activities.”
A Request for a Personal Electronic Device Exception form must be submitted to the building administrator, along with a copy of the order.
If use of the personal electronic device is included in the individualized education program or education plan, a Request for a Personal Electronic Device Exception form submission is not required.
A Request for a Personal Electronic Device Exception form must be submitted to the building administrator.
For example: a student could be disciplined with lost instructional time for using a personal electronic device to bully another student. Discipline will be in accordance with Board policies.
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.
“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).