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Ithaca board adopts student cell-phone policy; administrators to receive district phones
Summary
The board approved a district policy restricting student personal electronic devices and voted to provide district-owned cell phones to certain administrators who require after-hours availability. Implementation details and enforcement practices will be developed by staff.
The Ithaca City School District board voted unanimously Tuesday to adopt a policy restricting student use of personal electronic devices in school and to recognize select district employees who will be provided district-owned cell phones for job needs.
The board's policy adopts the state's recent mandate requiring a distraction‑free learning environment and gives building administrators discretion to implement grade-level procedures and exemptions. The board also approved a separate administrative motion to provide district-owned phones for a reduced group of administrators who need after-hours reachability.
Board and staff discussion focused on implementation and equity. Trustees said they wanted clear, predictable practices so enforcement would be consistent across buildings; several asked that the district collect feedback after the policy starts so the board can re-evaluate. One board member framed the question as how to avoid an "adult solution to a kid problem," urging solutions that genuinely reduce device distractions rather than rely solely on equipment purchases.
Administrators explained the district purchased a limited number of RFID-blocking pouches and will distribute them as one implementation option to address the new law quickly ahead of the school year. District leaders said the pouch purchase used a modest allocation intended to help the district comply immediately and that implementation will evolve: some districts use lockers, some use pouches and some rely on classroom management practices.
The board also debated devices provided to staff. Legal counsel and district leadership advised that providing district phones to administrators avoids issues with FOIL (freedom-of-information) production and preserves administrators' personal privacy while ensuring the district can reach employees for emergencies. "We don't have a better option" for certain on-call roles, a district leader said. Board members asked staff to continue reviewing options (for example, app-based second lines) and to revisit practices during future contract negotiations and committee meetings.
The policy adopted by the board includes exemptions for medical, safety or approved instructional uses and states that interventions may include removing devices, storing them in the main office and contacting caregivers prior to return. The district will publish implementation guidance and an annual report on how the policy is working.
The board scheduled follow-up: staff will implement the policy at the start of the school year, provide building-level guidance and return to the board for updates and possible revisions in the coming weeks and months.
