Eastport South Manor board adopts state‑mandated ban on student internet‑enabled devices

The Eastport South Manor Central School District Board of Education adopted policy number 56 95, titled “Students and Internet Enabled Devices,” at its July 9 meeting and suspended the customary two‑reading requirement so the policy would take effect immediately. The board adopted the policy by a recorded count of five in favor and one opposed.

Mr. Fabian, who presented the policy on behalf of the policy committee, said the policy implements a new provision in New York State education law (referred to in the meeting as Education Law 02/1100) that prohibits use of internet‑enabled devices at school during the school day. "It encompasses all Internet‑enabled devices," Fabian said, naming phones, smartwatches and tablets, and said the district’s primary plan for compliance is student locker storage and that devices must be off and not carried on the student during the school day.

The policy includes several specified exemptions and procedural points discussed during the presentation: medical or disability‑related accommodations under Section 504 or Committee on Special Education recommendations; case‑by‑case exemptions for devices needed for translation or instructional reasons; an appeals process through building administration; and distribution of the policy to the public via the district website. Fabian said the district’s counsel reviewed the policy and that the policy must be enacted by Aug. 1 in order to comply with the state law.

Fabian also warned that the practice of enforcement may be challenging at the building level, and that administrators and teachers will work on practical implementation. The presenter stressed that schools cannot suspend a student solely for a device violation under the law and that the policy lays out stepwise enforcement measures rather than immediate suspension.

Board member Mr. Farrar stated his opposition on the record during the adoption vote. When asked for a roll call of opposition, Mr. Farrar said, "I'm opposed," and the chair recorded five ayes and one opposed; the board chair declared the policy adopted.

The meeting also approved a number of routine and consent items during the session. The board accepted minutes from the June 11 and June 17 meetings, appointed Carrie Von Voigt as assistant principal of the Junior‑Senior High School and Rebecca Balaza as principal of Tuttle Avenue School (both approved unanimously), and approved a consent agenda covering listed personnel, facilities and purchasing items. The consent agenda highlights included a budget transfer of $4,700,222.21, renewal of snow‑plowing and boiler maintenance contracts, and administrative renewals. The food services discussion noted that the state budget provides one free breakfast and one free lunch per student; additional meals would still be charged.

The board said the policy may be revisited to refine implementation practices and directed administrators to coordinate communications for families before the start of school.