STUDENTS AND PERSONAL ELECTRONIC DEVICES: Board Policy

STUDENTS AND PERSONAL ELECTRONIC DEVICES

The Board of Education recognizes that students may have personal electronic devices that can perform different functions.  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.   These devices can create significant distraction to the school environment, negatively impact student mental health, contribute to disciplinary infractions, and reduce student engagement.  Additionally, in an emergency, the use of personal electronic devices can distract students from following the directions of staff or emergency responders, contribute to the spread of misinformation, create congestion in the emergency response system, and interfere with the district’s emergency response protocols.

As required by Education Law §2803, this policy prohibits student use of internet-enabled 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 (e.g., Individualized Education Program/Section 504 or as permitted below).

Device Access and Storage

1.  Elementary level students (grades pre-Kindergarten - grade 6) cannot bring personal electronic devices to school including the school bus;
2. At the junior high school level (grades 7-9), students' personal electronic devices must be powered off and stored in their lockers for the entire school day; and
3. At the high school level (grades 10-12), students' personal electronic devices must be powered off and secured in lock boxes, student lockers, or a location as determined by the superintendent or their designee for the entire school day.

Students are discouraged from bringing other personal electronic devices to school. Other personal electronic devices include devices which are not capable of connecting to the internet and accessing content on the internet, fitness trackers, wired or wireless headphones and earbuds, e-readers, voice recorders, cameras and gaming/music devices. If students do bring such devices to school, the device must be stored for the entire school day, as outlined above. These devices must also be powered off and not used during the school day unless permission is granted by the classroom teacher or administrator.

The district is not responsible for stolen, lost or damaged personal electronic devices brought to school.

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 contact their children by calling the school's main office. Students may contact their parents by reporting to their administrator’s office or their counselor's office. The district will notify parents in writing of the communication protocol at the beginning of each school year and upon enrollment.

Exceptions for Specific Purposes

Use of internet-enabled devices must be permitted where included in a student’s Individualized Education Program, Section 504 plan, or where required by law. Students with IEPs or Section 504 Plans that specifically require the use of electronic or internet-enabled devices must be permitted to use them as specified in their IEP or Section 504 Plan or as otherwise required by law. Additionally, the district permits the use of internet-enabled devices in the event of an emergency, and under the following circumstances:

1. Where necessary to manage a student’s healthcare (e.g., diabetes, asthma, medication, etc.);
2. For translation services;
3. On a case-by-case basis, upon review and determination by a school psychologist, school social worker, or school counselor, for students who are routinely responsible for the care and well-being of a family member; and 
4. Where otherwise required by law.

Parents may request an exception for their children to use internet-enabled devices during the school day as listed above.  Requests must be made to the  principal of the student's school.  Requests for healthcare exceptions must include documentation from an appropriate healthcare professional. 

Students may be permitted to use their internet-enabled devices during the school day on school grounds for specific educational purposes, if the following criteria are met:

• The student has registered the device with the district, in accordance with district procedures, which includes approval by the principal of the student's school;
• The student's teacher has obtained administrative approval to authorize the student's use of a specific device for a particular activity and for a specific duration of time (the student
  must store the device pursuant to this policy upon conclusion of the activity); and
• The student uses the device to access the internet or authorized applications through the district’s network in accordance with Board Policy 4526, Computer Use in Instruction.

Under any of these exceptions, devices may only be used for the purposes outlined in the exception, and the device must be powered off and put away when not in use.

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. At each level, schools will implement progressive measures to address students in violation of this policy. This will include, but is not limited to the following:

1. a warning/reminder of the personal electronic device policy and a parent contact
2. confiscation of the device for the remainder of the day and a parent contact
3. confiscation of the device until the parent picks up the device
4. the student is not allowed to bring in a device or they must turn in the device to a building administrator each day and will receive it at the end of the day (junior high school and high school only). Building administration will determine the time frame.

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 alternative 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. 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. Students who refuse to turn over their device due to repeated violations of the policy may be subject to further consequences under the district’s Code of Conduct.

Additionally, some uses of personal electronic devices may constitute a violation of the district's Code of Conduct  (e.g., cyberbullying), 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, Section 504 Plans, or documentation from medical practitioners specifically requiring use of electronic devices may do so as specified.

Policy Distribution and Translation

As required by law, the district will post this policy in a clearly visible and accessible location on its website, where it will also be accessible in other languages. Additionally, upon request by a student or parent, the district will provide a hard copy of this policy translated into any other language. 

The district will also include this information, or a plain language summary, in student/family handbooks.

Cross-ref:        4526, Computer Use in Instruction

                      4526.1, Internet Safety

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: June 24, 2025