The Hendrick Hudson Central School District Board of Education approved Policy 5695 on July 23, a second‑reading policy that limits students’ continuous or unsupervised access to internet‑enabled devices during the school day and lays out procedures for implementation.

The policy, presented at the board meeting during a superintendent’s report, is intended to align district practice with a recently enacted New York State law and with updated guidance from the New York State Education Department. Superintendent (unnamed) told the board the district expects to receive approximately $11,650 from the state once an adopted policy is posted, and said the district is considering uses for the funds such as storage solutions, reporting software and staffing to manage confiscated devices.

Board members were told the policy prohibits continuous or unsupervised device access and that lockers, not backpacks, are the state’s preferred secure storage option under the new guidance. The superintendent said non‑internet devices such as MP3 players are not covered by the law or the district’s proposed policy. The policy also allows for limited exemptions — for example, when a course requires specialized hardware or when a student’s Individualized Education Program (IEP) or 504 plan requires a device — and Mayor‑level operational decisions on those exemptions will be made by administrators after the policy is adopted.

During public and board discussion, administrators said they will convene building leaders in late August to develop detailed procedures and to identify courses that may require device exceptions. They also said the district will inventory returned district devices (for example, devices collected from graduating seniors) and distribute loaner Chromebooks where needed at the start of school. The superintendent and administrators emphasized an implementation approach that prioritizes helping students and teachers adapt rather than punitive enforcement.

The board authorized the policy by voice vote. Next steps outlined by the administration include: reporting the adopted policy to the state to secure the funding, convening administrators to finalize building‑level procedures, training staff on enforcement and data collection for any disciplinary referrals tied to violations, and communicating building‑specific guidance to students and families before school begins.

District officials said they expect to revisit parts of the policy as state interpretation and guidance continue to evolve.

The policy vote followed public discussion and staff updates at the July 23 meeting.