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Batavia board hears first read of internet-enabled device ban, discusses heat/temperature policy
Summary
The Batavia City School District Board received a first reading of a state-mandated internet-enabled device ban and a separate temperature/heat-mitigation policy, with superintendent Jason Smith saying the board must adopt a policy by Aug. 1 and staff and families will be surveyed before final adoption.
The Batavia City School District Board of Education on a first read discussed a state-directed policy to ban internet-enabled devices during the school day and a separate temperature/heat-mitigation policy that will take effect Sept. 1.
Superintendent Jason Smith told the board the district is preparing a final policy on “internet-enabled device band,” commonly called the cell-phone band, and that by law the board must adopt something by Aug. 1. He said the district has surveyed middle- and high-school staff, met with employee association leaders and will distribute a parent feedback form after graduation.
Smith said the draft policy will describe how parents can contact students during the day, include specified exceptions for students with medical or translation needs, and require updates to the code of conduct. “I feel much more confident than I did about, like, a month ago,” Smith said, noting the district will provide a grace period, training for students and parents, and procedural guidance for staff.
On the temperature policy, board members were told the rule will take effect Sept. 1 and requires mitigation steps when classrooms reach high temperatures. Smith described a pilot day last June when one classroom on a second floor reached 92 degrees and said the policy triggers relocation when rooms exceed district thresholds. The district has purchased window safety devices and fans and is coordinating with building and grounds staff on opening windows and other mitigation measures.
Board members asked questions about how parents will reach students if phones are stored during the day and about the potential impact on front-office staff volume; Smith said schools will adopt explicit alternative contact procedures and will refine those logistics as the policy is finalized.
The board did not vote on either policy at the meeting; Smith said he plans to return a finalized version in mid-July for adoption and that parent and staff education will continue prior to enforcement.
The discussion also noted the district is relying on guidance from Erie 1 BOCES for policy language and anticipates some local tailoring within the state-required framework.
