Williamsville superintendent says distraction‑free school‑zone policy required by governor's budget; district must submit plan by Aug. 1

Superintendent Doctor Brownhall told the Williamsville Central School District Board of Education the district must submit a plan by Aug. 1 to comply with a governor’s budget provision on distraction‑free school zones and that implementation is scheduled for late September.

“This policy is not a policy developed by our board of education by choice. This is actually in the governor's budget,” Doctor Brownhall said during the community update. He told the board the district must have a plan sent to the state by Aug. 1 and that the scheduled implementation would occur the week of Sept. 25–26. Brownhall also said the budget included $13,500,000 for “storage solutions,” though the district is still waiting for guidance on how schools will access that funding.

Principal Andrew Bowen, chair of the committee reviewing the district proposal, has recommended purchasing a limited number of pouches for high schools and middle schools as one intervention step. Brownhall said the district expects those purchases may be administered on a reimbursement basis tied to the district’s BOCES aid rate but added the district is still “waiting for direction” from the state about eligibility and the mechanism for accessing the $13.5 million.

The district opened a public comment period and will have its committee meet June 25, the day after the comment window closes, to consider whether to amend the presentation or the proposal that was submitted. Board members were told that comments submitted through the online feedback form are shared with the committee and with all board members so they may be reviewed prior to that meeting.