Edmonds School District to ramp up enforcement of student phone use restrictions

The Edmonds School District will enhance enforcement of its device policy for the 2025-26 school year, collaborating with the Edmonds Education Association. The district has recognized inconsistent application of the policy since its implementation in 2018, prompting the need for change. Students will be permitted to use devices only before school, during lunch, and after school, with stricter guidelines anticipated for younger students. When violations occur, staff will confiscate devices and store them securely until a parent or guardian retrieves them. Families will be notified of confiscations by the end of the school day.

Exceptions exist for health-related device use, coordinated through the school nurse. The district emphasizes that consistent enforcement is crucial for the policy's effectiveness, which will be reviewed annually. This initiative aims to foster a more focused learning environment for all students.