Arlington district outlines 'bell‑to‑bell' ban on internet‑connected devices under new state law

Arlington Central School District on Monday laid out how it will implement a new New York state law that bans internet‑connected devices during school hours.

Superintendent John (first referenced in the transcript as John at SEG 788) told the board the district must submit its policy plan to the state by Aug. 1 and that the local approach will be a districtwide, bell‑to‑bell prohibition. “It is a bell to bell from from when the students get off the bus until they get back on the bus,” John said, describing the rule as applying from arrival to dismissal. The district’s definition of “internet‑connected devices” includes cell phones, smartwatches, tablets and gaming devices.

The proposed implementation emphasizes a tiered response rather than universal pouching. John said the district will offer voluntary options for students who need support, provide district‑owned pouches for students who struggle to comply, and escalate to administrators if…