Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Student Policy topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Penfield board holds first read of student personal device policy required by governor's regulation
Summary
The board reviewed a first read of a new policy restricting or storing personal electronic devices during the school day. The district described grade-level differences and plans to provide communication pathways for families and students; the policy must be in place before the start of school.
Penfield Central School District’s Board of Education held a first reading July 15 of a policy implementing the governor’s regulation on student personal electronic devices. The draft sets different rules by grade band: at the elementary level personal devices “may not be brought to school,” while middle- and high-school students must power devices off and store them in designated pouches during the school day.
Dr. Driffill presented the policy and said state guidance and the governor’s rationale emphasize reducing distractions and improving student engagement and mental health. “This policy will help us to support and disrupt the distractions,” Dr. Driffill said.
District staff told the board the administration is working on family communications and access options. At the high school level, students will be able to use email to contact families; the district said it is working with technology staff to finalize how middle-school students (grades 6–8) will safely communicate without exposing younger students to phishing and other risks. Staff also noted that administrators and building phones remain available in emergencies and that students can still contact families through house administrators.
The policy was presented for first reading; the district said it must be in place in time to implement the regulation at the start of the school year. The board did not take a final vote on the policy at the July 15 meeting.
