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Sewanhaka board advances cell-phone ban policy to second review after parent support and questions about enforcement
Summary
The Sewanhaka Central High School District’s draft student personal-device policy, which would require students to store phones in lockers during the school day, was the subject of extensive board discussion and public comment at the July 8 meeting; the policy remained on second review and no final vote was taken.
The Sewanhaka Central High School District Board of Education discussed the proposed student use-of-personal-electronic-devices policy at its July 8 meeting, heard multiple public commenters in support of a school-day phone ban, and continued the policy on second review rather than taking final action.
The draft policy would require students to secure cell phones in lockers for the school day, with limited exceptions for seniors leaving campus for lunch and students participating in off-campus CTE programs or field trips. Board members and the superintendent said implementation will include student assemblies and staff training to encourage compliance; the policy was listed on the agenda for second review and no vote to adopt the policy occurred that night.
Public comments were strongly in favor of the ban. Speaker Miss Alfonsi, identified as a Floral Park parent, told the board she had polled dozens of students and said, “Dozens of kids from 12 to 18, every single one of them realizes there's a big problem,” arguing that phones introduce “equally dangerous threats to children's health.” Makayla Beeman, an Elmont parent, thanked the board for calendar changes and urged the board to follow through on athletics-related disciplinary steps and referee training previously discussed during a town-hall process.
Superintendent Grusza acknowledged the policy will require a phased implementation and cooperation across stakeholders. “The implementation of this policy will take time and a dedicated and committed effort by all stakeholders,” the superintendent said, adding the district will hold assemblies the first week of school to explain expectations and will provide access to telephones in emergencies.
Board members noted the district will monitor implementation and revisit the policy as needed. Trustees said middle-school students may transition more quickly than older students and that administration will provide follow-up reports to the board on where the policy succeeds and where additional supports are needed.
The board did not adopt the policy at the July meeting; it remains a second‑review item on a future agenda. Several parents and trustees asked for patience and collaboration during rollout and for the district to monitor and report on early implementation challenges.
