Board approves student code of conduct that restricts personal internet-enabled devices under state law

The Dubuque School District Board of Education voted to approve the 2025'26 student code of conduct, adopting language required by New York State that generally prohibits students from using personal internet-enabled devices on school grounds during the school day. The policy takes effect under the state requirement beginning Aug. 1, 2025. The change implements a statewide mandate and clarifies how families and staff may communicate during the day. District staff told the board the policy excludes district-supplied devices used for instruction and provides several prescribed ways for parents and guardians to reach students. District presenter Mrs. Fata, who introduced the policy language, said, "Beginning on 08/01/2025, New York State education law requires each school district and BOCES to adopt a policy restricting the use of Internet enabled devices during the entire school day on school grounds." She said the policy includes approved exemptions and that devices supplied by the district for instructional purposes are excluded. Under the adopted rules, elementary students are "strongly encouraged" to leave devices at home and any device brought to school should be stored in backpacks or lockers. At the middle- and high-school levels, Mrs. Fata said, devices must be turned off and kept in locked personal lockers for the entire school day "so that they're not busy in between classes in the hallway." She added that parents may still contact students by calling the school's main office, which can relay messages or arrange phone contact, or by dropping a written note at the office. For middle- and high-school families the district will also use a platform the presenter identified as Think Tech to allow parents and guardians listed in PowerSchool to message students in limited circumstances. Mrs. Fata said the Think Tech feature was being set up and that notices would be sent to families with setup instructions. Mrs. Fata told the board the district is required by state law to adapt enforcement practices and that schools are prohibited from suspending a student solely for accessing an internet-enabled device in school; however, she said repeated violations "may be considered insubordination" and would be handled under the district's code of conduct. The board approved the student code of conduct as presented. The policy document will be communicated to families through the district website, email, student handbooks, newsletters, back-to-school packets and orientations, the presenter said. The board did not amend the policy at the meeting; members approved the superintendent's recommendation by voice vote.