The Somers Central School District said it will implement New York State Education Law Section 2803 on student personal electronic devices and provide lockable Faraday pouches to high school students. Amanda, a member of the Board of Education, said the district will receive $14,000 in state reimbursement to cover some costs and will post the new board policy and building-specific communications on the district website before the school year begins.

The change is an implementation of state law: the district will not alter K–8 rules, and the high school’s new pouch program will let students keep phones on their person while preventing use during instructional time. “This will allow the students to have their phones with them throughout the day but not in use while school is in session,” Amanda said.

Why it matters: the district’s steps affect daily routines for families and school staff and involve a state reimbursement that offsets local spending. The board’s public remarks sought to clarify how the policy will operate and where parents can get information ahead of the first day of school, Sept. 2.

Details the board provided: district officials said the K–8 policy remains the same. Somers High School purchased lockable Faraday pouches that will be issued to each high school student so phones remain physically secured but on the student’s person. The state has provided per-district reimbursement for implementing the mandate; the district expects to receive $14,000 to help cover pouch costs. Board members said they will place the new board policy and direct links to each school’s communications under the Board of Education section of the district website.

District staff and board members asked parents to contact their building principals with operational questions. Dr. Bronstein, superintendent of schools, and board members said more information and parent communications will be posted ahead of the start of classes.

The board’s public remarks did not include a vote to adopt a new local ordinance; the statements reported here were updates on implementation and communications plans.