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Superintendent urges local approach to Gov. Hochul’s proposed ‘bell-to-bell’ cell-phone rule; board has not adopted policy
Summary
At the Feb. 12 meeting Dr. Harrington addressed the governor’s proposed statewide cell-phone restrictions and said the district is preparing a local policy that would initially focus on restricting phones during instructional time; parents at the meeting urged local control and teachers’ input, and the board clarified no policy has been adopted.
Superintendent Dr. Harrington discussed Governor Kathy Hochul’s proposed statewide cell-phone restrictions during the Feb. 12 board meeting and said the district has begun internal conversations and a "soft introduction" of classroom rules restricting phone use during instruction.
"The governor’s proposal is an extreme position," Dr. Harrington said, describing a bell‑to‑bell approach that would require phones be stowed for the entire school day. He said the district is preparing evidence and a local recommendation and that, if given local control, the district would likely focus initially on restricting phone use during instructional periods rather than an outright daily ban.
Parents who spoke at the meeting expressed support for a locally developed approach. "I do believe our district can handle it at a local level," Tara Brash, a high‑school PTA co‑president and parent of two high‑school students, told the board. Brash said the high school already uses teacher-enforced classroom practices that keep phones out of instructional time and urged administrators and teachers be included in policy development.
During public comment a parent asked whether a statewide ban could hinder school operations; Dr. Harrington clarified his remarks as opinion and reiterated the district will pursue a transparent review, citing concerns parents raise about emergency access and the need to coordinate with school-safety authorities. He said the district expects to recommend a policy before the end of the school year.
Board president Mr. D’Ambrosio reminded the audience the board had not adopted a policy at the meeting. "We do not have a policy right now in place, and this board has not agreed to any policy yet," he said, asking the public not to assume a decision has been reached.
District officials said they have piloted classroom practices such as phone pouches and plan to provide teachers, parents and the community with research and data to guide a locally crafted policy if the Legislature and governor finalize a requirement that districts adopt cell‑phone rules.
