The governor's office and school leaders told the House Interim Committee on Education that Executive Order 2509 is driving a statewide effort to adopt consistent K–12 cell-phone policies and that the transition is in an early implementation phase.

Johanna Timbs, the governor's education initiatives director, said the executive order '1509 aims to create school environments where students are "focused on school experiences rather than focusing on their devices." Timbs told the committee that ODE estimated about 30% of Oregon schools either started the year with a cell-phone policy or adopted one before late October 2025, and that full implementation is not required until Jan. 1, 2026.

Timbs cited research linking phone-free instructional time to lower anxiety, fewer interruptions and more collaborative peer interactions. She also acknowledged student concerns about emergency contact and social isolation and said ODE is developing FAQs, toolkits and professional learning supports to help districts implement policies thoughtfully.

School practitioners described mixed but generally positive early results. Laurie Lieberman, a teacher-librarian at Lincoln High School, credited increased library circulation in part to phone-locking pouches (some purchased with a Friends of Lincoln grant) and to a full-time librarian and active programming. She cautioned that the ban alone is "just one piece of the puzzle" and that many schools lack funding for pouches, full-time librarians or book budgets.

Jefferson County Superintendent Jay Mathieson and Madras High Principal Tony Summers described implementing the ban on day one of the school year. Summers said students reported better participation and that online bullying "has almost vanished completely, at the school, especially during the school day." He said complaints have been rare and feedback from staff and students has been "overwhelmingly positive."

Committee members raised equity and logistics questions: who pays for enforcement tools such as locking pouches, how to ensure parents have emergency contact methods, and how the policy affects after-school or off-campus time. Timbs and district leaders emphasized phased implementation, resources from ODE and the governor's office, and continued feedback from students and staff.

What happens next: ODE will continue reviewing publicly posted district policies, follow up with districts that have not updated websites, and return to the committee with compliance information and early outcome data once implementation proceeds statewide.

Sources: Presenters included the governor's education initiatives director, school district leaders, and a teacher-librarian who was quoted in local reporting.