Rockville Centre reviews state-mandated ban on personal internet-enabled devices; board moves policies toward approval

The Rockville Centre Union Free School District Board of Education reviewed a district policy to comply with a new state requirement banning personal internet‑enabled devices during the school day, with the superintendent and board members discussing implementation details, exceptions and communications to parents.

Superintendent Gavin said the policy is “mandated by recently passed New York state budget” and explained the district will enforce a “bell to bell” restriction beginning next September that covers “all personal Internet devices such as phones, smartwatches, AirPods, headphones, and personal laptops.” He said districts must adopt the policy and the board’s agenda included the proposal for board consideration.

A board member reading the draft policy emphasized its scope: “This is how we have developed this, and it's important, I think, for everyone to take note of the bell to bell nature of this, regulation that this includes all instructional and non instructional periods, homeroom, lunch, recess, study hall, and passing time in the hallways.” The policy text on page two, as read during the meeting, lists methods for parents to contact students (calling the office, emailing or using the classroom intercom), and requires districts to compile data accounting for how implementation is proceeding.

Board members asked practical implementation questions. One member (speaker 5) asked whether the district will provide physical storage for devices and whether lockers are the plan; a district speaker confirmed lockers are acceptable under the policy and said the district would not be adopting magnetized pouches or centralized phone storage rooms. Gavin cautioned that younger elementary students do not have lockers and said principals and PTAs must communicate expectations to families, adding that smartwatches are a particular concern at lower grades.

Board member (speaker 6) raised exceptions tied to IEPs and 504 plans, asking whether the district has updated reviews and parent conversations to ensure students who need devices for medical or assistive technology will have appropriate exemptions. A district reply clarified that “if it’s a medical assisted device or an assistive technology device that’s on the IEP, that counts and is exempted from this policy.”

The board discussed the policy committee’s expectation that real‑world implementation will evolve: the written policy would remain but enforcement details and daily practice may require adjustments. The board confirmed it will stage opportunities for public comment and further discussion as implementation proceeds.

Later in the meeting the board moved a package of policy items forward for approval; a motion to approve items F1 through H18 was moved, seconded and passed by voice vote. The transcript does not record a roll‑call tally for that motion; the meeting then continued to additional business.

The transcript records no final implementation timeline beyond the state’s September start date and no dollar amounts for device‑management options. District staff and board members said they will provide further communications to families over the summer about logistics, contact methods and how the policy will affect different grade levels.