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Board hears minor updates to safety plan and prepares for new state cell-phone policy
Summary
At a May 8 public hearing the district presented minor annual changes to its safety plan, described implementation of an anonymous tip line (Sandy Hook reporting), and previewed imminent state cell-phone policy requirements that the board must adopt by Aug. 1, 2025.
The Niagara Falls City School District held a public hearing May 8 on its annual code of conduct and districtwide safety plan, describing only minor language changes and new reporting tools while alerting the board and public to an upcoming state-required cell-phone policy.
Maria (district staff leading the code review) told the board the code of conduct and safety plan are governed by the state SAVE legislation and are updated annually. She said the safety committee included required stakeholders: administrators, teachers, students, parents, law enforcement and fire representatives, and community members. The only substantive additions were language to incorporate the Big Picture program at the high school and adoption of an anonymous tip line (referred to as the Sandy Hook reporting system).
Superintendent Mark Lohrey described the Sandy Hook reporting tool as an anonymous tip line that routes referrals to a central registry and notifies principals and designated staff. He said tips that indicate imminent danger prompt an immediate response, often a welfare check by a school resource officer, followed by school follow-up in the morning. "We've received a number of calls on this line," Lohrey said, adding the district views the system as another outlet for students who might be at risk.
District staff also summarized draft language they had read from the state budget regarding electronic-device restrictions. The superintendent said the proposed state language would require school boards to adopt a written policy "prohibiting electronic devices during the school day on school property," with exceptions (authorized use with teacher or principal permission, health-care reasons, emergencies, translation services, or legal requirements). The meeting record shows the district must adopt a compliant policy by Aug. 1, 2025, and issue an annual enforcement report beginning Sept. 1, 2026. Maria and Lohrey said official guidance and budget language were still pending and that the district would solicit stakeholder input before policy adoption.
A representative from the Niagara Community Information Group offered to share findings from community teen hearings on phones and family perspectives. No public speakers objected to the safety plan at the hearing. Board members closed the public portion and adjourned the hearing to continue other business.
