The Newburgh City School District policy committee moved a draft policy restricting internet-enabled devices to the full board for a first read and discussion after staff said the state has issued a new, stricter requirement.

Staff described the core requirement: except in limited circumstances, internet-enabled devices may not be turned on during the instructional day — “bell to bell” — unless the device is district-provided. A staff member told the committee the law prohibits suspending a student solely for accessing the Internet on such a device; instead, discipline must align with the district’s acceptable-use policy and other conduct rules. The staff member said the law allows confiscation, parent meetings and other responses, but not suspension for the mere use of Internet-enabled devices.

Board members and staff discussed operational issues. The district has implemented Yondr pouches at middle and high schools as a storage mechanism; staff noted the policy may need clearer language to allow “Yondr pouches or similar.” Members raised enforcement concerns for students who tether personal devices or bring laptops, and noted the district network cannot monitor or control personally owned devices connected to outside networks. Staff recommended reviewing the district’s bring-your-own-device (BYOD) rules and updating the code of conduct and related policies to make enforcement clear. A board member also asked staff to prepare data on disciplinary incidents related to electronic devices from the past year; staff agreed to provide baseline data.

Committee members asked about liability if a student’s personal device is lost or damaged on district property; staff confirmed the policy states liability remains with the parent for personal devices. The committee asked staff to coordinate communications to families over the summer to explain new expectations and to update the code of conduct and administrative regulations before the school year. The committee moved the draft policy to the full board for first read and discussion so the district can finalize enforcement mechanisms and cross-reference affected policies.