Board adopts revised internet-enabled device policy with narrow hallway navigation exception

The Chappaqua Central School District Board of Education adopted a revised internet-enabled device policy at its June 17 meeting after a second reading and public and staff feedback.

The policy committee chair summarized community response: "We got feedback from our kids, from our parents, from our faculty, and from our administrators," and concluded that most stakeholders wanted to maintain the status quo for device use until high school. The committee recommended a revision to comply with state law while preserving school operations.

The board added one explicit line to clarify day-to-day use: "Use Internet enabled devices other than laptops for scheduled navigation while moving through the hallways to the next scheduled period." The superintendent explained the change and its intended scope: "It really does encompass everything from knowing what day am I in today to what class is next? Where is that class going to be held?" She characterized the change as broad but intended to avoid turning staff into "phone patrol."

Board members said the policy increased clarity and that the committee would revisit the measure after a trial year. The vote to adopt the policy was recorded as "All those in favor? Aye" in the meeting audio; a roll-call tally was not included in the public audio transcript.

The administration reported that the policy committee consulted building leadership to ensure the change would not interfere with school operations. The board said it will watch implementation and could amend the policy in future committee meetings.