The New Rochelle City School District Board of Education conducted a first reading of a state-mandated policy restricting student access to internet-enabled personal devices during the school day, with trustees and staff discussing exemptions, enforcement challenges and the timetable for implementation.

The superintendent said the law requires districts to adopt the policy by July 1 and tied compliance to state funding. "This law is now prescribed, and it is actually connected to state funding. We must adopt this law by July 1 in order for us to be considered to be fully compliant," Dr. Reynolds said.

Under the draft policy discussed, students may not have access to internet-enabled devices from the time they enter school until they leave. Exemptions listed in state guidance and discussed by the board include documented medical devices (for example, diabetes monitoring), devices used for translation and case‑by‑case accommodations for students responsible for the care of family members. School‑issued instructional devices are not covered by the ban and may continue to be used for classwork under administrative approval.

Trustees and administrators raised practical questions about enforcement during lunch, recess and passing times, storage of devices, and how the district will support families who rely on devices for daily coordination. Dr. Reynolds said the policy does not yet specify collection or storage procedures and that building‑level recommendations will be solicited. He specifically noted AngelSense tracking devices as an example that will require careful handling under the policy.

Trustees suggested student, teacher and parent engagement in shaping school‑level procedures. Several trustees described classroom-level practices they already use — phone cubbies, charging stations, or teacher-managed collection — and encouraged the district to gather best practices from other districts and from teachers. Board members also discussed options to make the policy feel less punitive, using student-led civic exercises and incentives as part of the rollout.

No adoption vote was taken; the board instructed staff to collect building recommendations and stakeholder input ahead of formal adoption.

The board signaled it will return with more detailed guidance for implementation and enforcement before the policy takes effect.