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Somers board outlines student phone policy rollout; high school to use lockable Faraday pouches, district to post policy online
Summary
The Somers Central School District reiterated compliance with New York State Education Law Section 2803, plans to provide lockable Generation Faraday pouches to high school students and will post the new board policy and building-level communications online; the district will receive $14,000 in state reimbursement toward the pouches.
Somers Central School District leaders said the district will implement the state-mandated limits on student use of personal electronic devices and will provide lockable Generation Faraday pouches to high school students while posting the new board policy and links to each school’s communications on the district website. Board members said the district expects $14,000 in state reimbursement to cover part of the pouch cost.
The action follows a requirement described in the meeting as compliance with New York State Education Law Section 2803 and the district’s Board Policy 5696 on students and personal electronic devices. Board discussion noted the K–8 policy remains unchanged; the pouches are being issued to high school students so phones can be carried but not used during instructional time.
Board member Amanda told the meeting, “I’m going to put the new board policy on our tab and a link to each school building’s communication,” as a way to make the rules and building-level procedures easier for parents to find. The district said parents with questions should contact their building principals.
District leaders said the state provided reimbursement to school districts to implement the mandate and that Somers will receive $14,000 toward pouch costs. The board clarified that the Generation Faraday pouches allow students to have phones with them during the day but keep them locked and not in use while school is in session.
The device policy and the pouch rollout were discussed as part of opening remarks and again during board comments; no formal recorded vote to adopt a new policy appears in the transcript. The board’s stated next steps are to post the adopted policy and building guidance on the district website and to direct parents with questions to building principals.
