Book J

Section: Students

Title: Student Use of Personal Electronic Devices

Code: JFCK

Status: Active

Adopted: November 17, 2010 

Last Revised: June 10, 2025

Last Reviewed: June 10, 2025

NEPN / NSBA CODE: JFCK

Student Use of Personal Electronic Devices

The Board recognizes that many students possess personal cellular telephones and other personal electronic devices including but not limited to: tablets, smartwatches, gaming devices, earbuds and headphones.

The following are general requirements that apply to students at all grade levels in Portland Public Schools. The Superintendent or designee will develop associated rules to govern implementation of this policy, aligned to the following key provisions:

1. Students may not have cell phones, smart watches, earbuds, or other personal electronic devices on their person at any time while at school during regular school hours. To assist with this, the Superintendent or their designee will develop a process of collecting cell phones and other communications devices for safe storage at the beginning of the school day and redistributing devices after classes. Administrators may take away and place into storage any electronic device seen in a student’s possession during the school day in violation of this policy.
2. Students are encouraged to leave electronic devices at home, when possible. The Portland Public Schools is not responsible for the damage, loss or theft of electronic devices that students choose to bring to school.
3. Exceptions to this no cell phone policy will be very limited (e.g., where a device is required for documented health reasons) and only allowed when a student receives prior written authorization from a building administrator in accordance with the Superintendent’s rules. In the event that a student is authorized to have an electronic device on them at school, the device may not be used in any manner that disrupts the educational process, is illegal, or violates Board policies and/or school rules.
4. Students may use electronic devices on field trips and during extracurricular activities only if authorized by the staff member in charge.
5. In the event that a student receives permission from an administrator to use their cell phone or other electronic device for an approved purpose, the following provisions will apply:
   1. These devices may not be used in any manner that disrupts the educational process, is illegal, or violates Board policies and/or school rules.
   2. In addition, accessing, viewing, posting, forwarding, downloading or displaying any materials that are defamatory, abusive, obscene, vulgar, sexually explicit, sexually suggestive, threatening, discriminatory, harassing and/or illegal is prohibited.
   3. The use of cameras in any type of electronic device is strictly prohibited in locker rooms and restrooms. Students are required to obtain permission before taking a photograph or video of any individual. Students must also obtain permission from any individual appearing in a photograph or video prior to posting on any social networking site or other Internet site such as YouTube.
6. Student cellular telephones and other electronic devices may be subject to search if there is reasonable suspicion that a student is violating Board policies/procedures and/or school rules. A building administrator may maintain possession of an electronic device as long as is reasonably necessary for evidentiary purposes.

Cross References:

• JIH – Questioning and Searches of Students
• JICIA – Weapons, Violence, Bullying and School Safety
• JK – Student Discipline

Adopted: November 17, 2010