South Huntington board adopts "bell‑to‑bell" student device policy; high school lockers to hold phones during school day

The South Huntington Union Free School District Board of Education voted July 8 to adopt Policy 56 95, a "students and personal electronic devices" policy implementing a state "bell‑to‑bell" restriction on internet‑enabled devices during the school day.

Board members moved and seconded the measure (mover: Miss Licari; seconder: Mr. Joiner) and approved it during the July 8 meeting after a presentation by Kavanaugh, who led the district committee that drafted the policy. Kavanaugh said the policy implements guidance announced by Governor Hochul this year and that "bell to bell does not mean period to period. It means start of the day to the end of the day." She identified the largest operational impact as at Walt Whitman High School, where the district will move from allowing use between classes to requiring devices be stored during the entire school day.

The policy differentiates "internet‑enabled devices" (smartphones, laptops, tablets, smartwatches) from other personal electronic devices (basic mobile phones, fitness trackers, e‑readers and headphones). Staff outlined storage expectations: elementary students will keep devices off and away in classroom cubbies; secondary students (grades 6‑12) are expected to store devices in lockers throughout the school day. Kavanaugh said building principals will flesh out specific communication protocols; the district will rely on main office phones and additional offices at the high school so parents can reach students when necessary.

Kavanaugh said the policy contains documented exceptions for identified needs such as medical monitoring (for example, diabetes) and that exceptions will require documentation. She noted statutory limits on discipline: "the statute states that we cannot suspend a student out of school solely for the purpose of having their cell phone," and said disciplinary responses would follow the district code of conduct depending on context.

Superintendent Dr. D'Elia (identified in the meeting record as a staff member) said the district will send at least three communications to families about the change between July and the start of school in September; building‑level protocols will be communicated by principals. Kavanaugh said staff will use summer conference days and principal meetings to train personnel and that some staff will receive paid hours over the summer to prepare the roll‑out.

Board member Miss Meyer, who served on the policy committee, commended Kavanaugh for an inclusive process. The board approved the policy and directed building principals to finalize site‑specific procedures consistent with the district policy. The board recorded no further amendments at the July 8 meeting.