Superintendent says district finalizing cell-phone regulations; rollout and discipline to follow state directive
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Summary
Superintendent Dr. Douglas told the Horseheads board the district is finalizing cell-phone regulations tied to a gubernatorial directive; rollout materials are due mid-August and the administration is working on progressive-discipline steps and limited equipment purchases funded by a grant of roughly $18,000.
Superintendent Dr. Douglas said Horseheads Central School District is finalizing its cell-phone regulations in response to recent state-level direction and expects to distribute materials to families and building administrators ahead of the school year.
“We are going to utilize as much levity as we can,” Dr. Douglas said, adding the district is preparing regulations and disciplinary steps and will provide building principals with rollout guidance. He told the board the policy materials should be finalized “by the fifteenth” of August and that administrators will receive the regulations to implement at the building level.
Dr. Douglas said the district has applied for a grant of about $18,000 to help with related purchases and that the district is considering “yonder pouches” as an option for temporary storage of phones when progressive discipline requires it. He noted the district cannot afford to supply such pouches for every student without external funding.
On permitted use, Dr. Douglas said backpacks may remain available to students but use is constrained by the regulation: backpacks may be used on buses, but in school spaces including corridors and lunchrooms the regulation requires restricted phone use. He added the administration will define progressive consequences and emphasize communication with families in the next two to three weeks.
Board members asked for clarity about the rollout and parent communications. Dr. Douglas said the district has already sent multiple emails, posted on Facebook and the district website, and will provide another notice and links to the policy, regulations and supporting resources before busing information is released.
The board did not take a formal vote on the policy at the Aug. 5 meeting; the superintendent characterized the directive as coming from the governor and noted legal review is ongoing on related regulations and enforcement steps.