Arlington board adopts device-use policy after waiving second reading

The Arlington Central School District board voted to waive a second reading and adopt Policy 73-16, governing the use of internet-enabled devices during the school day.

Board President Mary Ann Meaden read the waiver resolution on the floor and asked for a motion to amend the agenda so the policy could be adopted at first reading. “Be it resolved that pursuant to the provisions of policy 14-10, the board hereby waives the requirement for a second reading preceding the adoption of the following policy and hereby approves the adoption of said policy upon a first reading at this meeting,” Meaden said. The board approved the motion and then approved adoption of Policy 73-16 by voice vote.

The board and staff discussed the practical effect of the policy and flagged gaps the policy may not yet address. Several board members and the student representative described a common, consumer device known as a “Gizmo” – a child’s digital watch that can make calls but does not provide full internet access – and said parents and staff find the device’s status confusing under policy language that references “internet-enabled devices.” “I think each family is gonna have a different thought on how it all works, so we should probably figure it out over time,” one board member said during the agenda amendment discussion. Student board member Mia Newsom described early reactions at the high school: “Overall, surprisingly, I've gotten really positive feedback about it… it really makes kids socialize with each other more.”

Board members described the change adopted tonight as a modest tweak reflecting “changes that came late from the state education department” and said they expect to revisit the policy as new devices or use patterns emerge. Staff agreed to continue checking in with elementary teachers and principals and to reconvene district working groups to monitor implementation.

Action and next steps: the board waived the second-reading requirement under Policy 14-10 and adopted Policy 73-16 at first reading. Board members requested ongoing consultation with building leaders and working groups to assess how the policy applies to devices such as the Gizmo watch and whether additional revisions are needed.

The policy adoption was taken as part of the meeting’s new-business block; no roll-call vote totals were recorded in the public record—members voted by voice and the chair declared the motion passes. The board will monitor implementation and may bring revisions back for additional readings or clarification.