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District to implement state-mandated 'bell-to-bell' cell phone ban; policy, code-of-conduct hearing set
Summary
Superintendent McCoy notified the board that Governor Hochul's executive budget includes a bell-to-bell cell-phone ban starting 2025–26; the district will place a policy and a code-of-conduct public hearing on the July 1 agenda and must approve policy by Aug. 1.
Superintendent McCoy told the board on June 2 that the 2025 executive budget language from Governor Hochul includes a “bell-to-bell” ban on student cell-phone use beginning in the 2025–26 school year, and that the district must adopt a policy to implement the requirement.
McCoy said the budget language was released late, leaving questions about whether “bell to bell” meant instructional time only or the entire school day. District staff said they learned the provision applies from the beginning of the day to the end of the day. The superintendent said administrators will work with teachers, students and parents to craft a fiscally responsible, implementable policy and will present the policy to the board on July 1; the district will also hold a code-of-conduct public hearing at the July 1 meeting. McCoy said districts are required to have the policy approved by Aug. 1.
The superintendent asked for parental support and said the administration will consult with administrators and staff while preparing the implementation plan, including any necessary code-of-conduct language changes.
Board members did not take formal action at the June 2 meeting; McCoy said the July board meeting will include the draft policy and a public hearing to gather comment before the required August deadline.
