Niskayuna policy committee backs cellphone-equals-smartphone rule, recommends Yondr pouches to meet Aug. 1 state deadline

The Niskayuna Central School District policy committee recommended adopting a revised internet-enabled device policy that treats cell phones and smartphones the same and uses visual, on‑site storage as a temporary measure for grades 7–12, district staff said at a special policy committee meeting.

The discussion focused on how the district will implement state guidance that requires districts to publish an internet-enabled device policy by Aug. 1 to preserve a state aid allocation. Committee members and staff recommended using universal pouches (vendor: Yondr) for students in grades 7–12, relying on building principals to approve individual exceptions, and publishing accompanying regulations that set out progressive consequences and implementation details.

The committee said the draft will treat “cell phones” and “internet‑enabled devices” as equivalent categories, and will replace an itemized device list with language that covers current devices and “other devices” to account for changing technology. Staff recommended that any required instructional‑use headphones be wired and that the…