West Irondequoit administrators told the Board of Education on June 26 that a district committee has begun drafting an implementation policy for the new state law restricting student use of internet‑enabled devices during the school day and that the district expects to post the policy and supporting materials by Aug. 1.

Dr. Farrell, administrator, said the committee met this week, reviewed about 1,200 survey responses from families and staff and analyzed the statutory language to identify flexibilities the district can use in implementation. “We spent some time analyzing the community survey results that were shared with families and staff, and we had close to 1,200 responses, which is excellent,” he said.

Nut graf: The committee is focused on practical, grade‑banded approaches — for example, different storage and consequence models for K–3 and for 9–12 — and is working to make discipline progressive and educational rather than punitive, consistent with the state guidance that discourages suspensions solely for cell‑phone violations.

Board members raised questions about how the law will affect watches, laptops and other devices and how consequences will be articulated. Dr. Farrell said the committee is discussing options ranging from verbal warnings to written warnings, notifications to families, actually storing devices in the main office for repeat infractions, and other progressive steps. He noted that the governor’s guidance indicates districts should avoid suspensions solely for cellphone use.

Dr. Johnson, superintendent, said the code of conduct was written broadly and pointed to a planned district website tab that will host the full device policy and related materials; student handbooks will reference that web resource rather than trying to publish final detailed rules before August printing deadlines.

Ending: Administrators said some students already participated in the committee work; they will return an adopted policy and implementation materials to the board by the Aug. 1 posting deadline required for the law.