Eugene 4J School Board approves new policy banning personal electronic devices

Wednesday night, the Eugene 4J School Board approved a new policy barring students’ use of personal electronic devices in K-12 schools.

The unanimous decision puts the district in alignment with Gov. Tina Kotek’s executive order mandating cell phones and other devices that connect to the internet -be off and away- from “bell to bell” in all Oregon schools. The deadline for adopting such a policy is Oct. 31.

4J spokesperson Kelly McIver said the new rule will only affect high schoolers, since K-8 students are already prohibited from using devices at school. Upperclassmen have been allowed to use their personal electronic devices between classes, during breaks and at lunch. He added the intent of the new policy is to benefit them.

“To allow students to disconnect from that sometimes anxie