Brighton board gives first reading to state-mandated personal device policy; details and exemptions discussed

The Brighton Central School District Board of Education on June 10 completed a first reading of four district policy updates, including Policy 5,695 (Students and Personal Electronic Devices), introduced in response to "new education law passed with the budget 02/1100," according to Superintendent Dr. McGowan.

The proposed personal electronic devices policy implements the state law’s requirements that limit use of Internet-enabled devices during the school day and on school grounds. Dr. McGowan told the board the law covers "Internet enabled devices, so phones, smartwatches, tablets, everything, the whole 9 yards," and that the definition of the school day in the law means students are covered "from arrival to dismissal," including lunch and passing time.

During the presentation the board’s implementation committee and staff recommended several local clarifications: athletic contests and other after-school extracurricular events would generally be excluded; field trips would be decided on a case-by-case basis; medically necessary uses and accommodations (for example, under IEP or 504 plans) would be exempted; and schools would publish alternate parent-to-student communication channels (school office phone, email, ParentSquare) to address safety and logistics. Dr. McGowan said the committee’s broad recommendations included requiring administrative approval for any teacher-requested classroom uses of personal devices and discouraging personal devices for K–5 students.

Board members discussed logistics for storage and enforcement, noting the middle school model (phones stored in lockers) has been used effectively in district schools. Dr. McGowan said confiscated devices for repeated offenses would be held in the office until the end of the school day and that the district will not purchase lockers for every classroom; elementary students would be asked not to bring devices and any devices brought should be stored in backpacks or classroom storage solutions.

The board voted to approve the four policies on first read; Karen moved the motion and Eleanor seconded. Dr. McGowan outlined next steps: a second read scheduled for July 2, a final adoption and associated code-of-conduct changes in August, and a community information campaign before school starts in the fall. He also said the district would reconvene the committee after a year of implementation to evaluate what worked and what did not.

The board’s discussion emphasized consistency in enforcement, clear family communication and procedures for medical or educational exemptions. Several board members said they would advocate for a local review of the law after 12 months and continue to press for state-level revisions through county and statewide board associations.