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District closes cell‑phone survey with 920 responses; administrators plan policy and town halls
Summary
The Niagara Falls High School/ district closed a seven‑question survey with 920 responses split roughly one‑third students, one‑third staff and one‑third others; administrators said they are using AI to sort responses and aim to present a collaboratively developed policy to the Board by Aug. 1 with virtual town halls planned.
The district reported that a seven‑question cell‑phone survey drew 920 responses and that the technology committee and high school team are using AI tools to sort responses ahead of policy drafting.
Superintendent Mark Lohrey said the responses were roughly one‑third students, one‑third staff and one‑third parents/community members and that the district will hold virtual town hall meetings to share plans and answer questions. "We received 920 responses...a third came from students, a third came from our staff, and a third came from non staff or students," Lohrey said.
Administrators identified two central operational issues for any policy: secure storage of phones or smart devices and ensuring emergency notification access. The district said it will present a collaboratively developed policy to the Board by Aug. 1 and hold outreach to stakeholders before then.
Why this matters: student device policies affect instruction, supervision and emergency communications and are often controversial; the Board flagged the cell‑phone policy as a major agenda item for an additional June meeting to allow fuller public discussion.
Next steps: district staff will prepare policy options based on survey results and stakeholder input and schedule town‑hall sessions to share findings and gather feedback prior to the Board’s August policy deadline.
