The Board of Education recognizes that students may have personal electronic devices that can perform different functions. The District prohibits students from using all personal electronic devices listed in this paragraph during the instructional day. Such devices include “internet-enabled devices” defined as: any smartphone, tablet, smartwatch or other device capable of connecting to the internet and enabling the user to access content on the internet, including social media applications, but do not include any such device supplied by the district for educational purposes. This prohibition also includes other personal electronic devices which are not capable of connecting to the internet or accessing content on the internet, cell phones without internet, fitness trackers, wireless headphones and earbuds, e-readers, voice recorders, cameras and music devices.
The district is not responsible for stolen, lost or damaged personal electronic devices brought to school, even in the event the district confiscates the device.
Communication with Parents/Persons in Parental Relation
During the school day, to minimize distractions, parents (which, for purposes of this policy, includes persons in parental relation) may reach out to their children by contacting staff via the following methods: calling or emailing the school office, the district’s communication app, the district’s web portal. The staff member will then contact the child. The district will develop procedures relating to parent communication. The district will notify parents in writing of the communication protocol at the beginning of each school year and upon enrollment.
Device Access and Storage
As required by Education Law §2803, this policy prohibits student use of personal electronic devices during the school day (including all classes, homeroom periods, lunch, recess, study halls, and passing time) on school grounds (any building, structure, athletic playing field, playground, or land contained within the boundary of a school or district or BOCES facility), unless under an exception set forth in this policy.
Students at all schools will be required to store their devices in either their backpack or their lockers.
Administrators and staff may also restrict use of electronic devices during school events and activities held outside of the instructional school day and/or off school grounds during the instructional day.
Exceptions for Specific Purposes
Use of personal electronic devices must be permitted where included in a student’s Individualized Education Program, Section 504 plan, or where required by law. The need for the device will be reviewed at the student’s 504 review meeting or the student’s CSE meeting as needed. Additionally, student use of otherwise prohibited devices during the school day on school grounds may be permitted when necessary for the management of a student’s healthcare.
Parents may request an exception for their children to use personal electronic devices during the school day as listed above. Requests must be made to the Building Principal or CSE, and for healthcare exceptions, must include documentation from an appropriate healthcare professional. However, if the student is granted an exception and it becomes a distraction to the student or others, the District will revisit the request.
Students will be permitted to use wired headphones with school issued devices when directed by a teacher.
Enforcement, Consequences and Reporting
Enforcement of this policy is chiefly the responsibility of building administrative staff; however, all designated employees are expected to assist in enforcement. Students will be reminded of this policy regularly and consistently, especially at the start of the school year and after returning from breaks.
The District will develop procedures to address situations where students are out of compliance with this policy. Such procedures will include, under certain circumstances, confiscation of the device and a requirement that a parent/guardian pick up the device from the school office. The district will exercise reasonable care to maintain the security of devices that are held by the district, but cannot guarantee the devices will be secure. For students with exceptions under this policy, the district will examine alternative ways to achieve the purpose of the exception, including different storage or access provisions.
Administrators will also discuss the aims of this policy with students and their parents, the benefits of a distraction-free environment, the reasons the student had difficulty following this policy, and how the district can help the student contribute to a distraction-free environment.
The district may not impose suspension from school if the sole grounds for the suspension is that the student accessed an internet-enabled device as prohibited by this policy (that rule does not apply to other personal electronic devices defined in this policy). However, the district may utilize consequences under the district’s Code of Conduct, including detention, in-school suspension, and exclusion from extracurricular activities. The district may also utilize assignments on the detrimental impact of social media on mental health, smartphones in school, or other relevant topics.
Some uses of personal electronic devices may constitute a violation of the school district Code of Conduct or other district policies, and in some instances, the law. The district will cooperate with law enforcement officials as appropriate.
Beginning September 1, 2026 and annually thereafter, the district will publish an annual report on its website detailing the enforcement of this policy over the past year, including non-identifiable demographic information of students who have faced disciplinary action for non-compliance with this policy, and an analysis of any demographic disparities in enforcement of this policy. If a statistically significant disparate enforcement impact is identified, the report will include a plan to mitigate such disparate enforcement.
Electronic Devices and Testing
To ensure the integrity of testing, in accordance with state guidelines, students may not bring cell phones or other electronic devices into classrooms or other exam locations during state assessments. Teachers may grant specific permission for electronic device usage during tests other than state assessments.
Test proctors, monitors and school officials have the right to collect cell phones and other prohibited electronic devices prior to the start of the test and to hold them for the duration of the test taking time. Admission to the test will be prohibited to any student who has a cell phone or other electronic device in their possession and does not relinquish it.
Students with Individualized Education Plans or Section 504 Plans, or documentation from medical practitioners specifically requiring use of electronic devices may do so as specified.
Policy Distribution
As required by law, the district will post this policy in a clearly visible and accessible location on its website.
Cross-ref:
5300, Code of Conduct
Ref:
Education Law §2803
Price v. New York City Board of Education, 51 A.D.3d 277, lv. to appeal denied, 11 N.Y.3d 702 (2008) (District may ban possession of cell phones on school property)
NYSED, Prohibition of Cell Phones and Electronic Devices in New York State Assessments, www.nysed.gov/educator-integrity/prohibition-cell-phones-and-electronic-devices-new-york-state-assessments
Adoption date: August 30, 2010
Revised: February 25, 2013
Reviewed: May 22, 2017
Revised: June 23, 2025