Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Student Device Policy topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Fayetteville‑Manlius board weighs tighter phone limits after parents, teachers urge bell‑to‑bell rule
Summary
Parents, teachers and students told the Fayetteville‑Manlius Central School District Board that stricter limits on student smartphone use would improve focus and mental health. The board did not vote but agreed to gather more input and consider drafting districtwide policy options.
The Fayetteville‑Manlius Central School District Board of Education heard widespread support on Tuesday for stricter limits on student smartphone use, but stopped short of adopting a districtwide policy.
Dr. Tice, the district superintendent, told trustees that current building‑level practices vary: at the high school phones are restricted during class time but are allowed in hallways, study halls and lunch; middle schools start the year with assemblies and stricter building rules. "During class, bell to bell, students should not be using their cell phones," he said, describing how infractions are handled and the staged consequences now in place.
Why it matters: Board members said the issue touches classroom instruction, school safety and student mental health. Several presenters cited research and local pilot results presented at a recent state convening showing fewer disciplinary incidents when phones are restricted. Mary Petrolas, identified as the FMTA president, told the board "student engagement, grades and test scores go up when students don't have access to their phones all day," and framed limits as a mental‑health intervention rather than merely a disciplinary step.
Parents and students urged action. Parent Lauren Ruffridge said local events and a conference made the case for stronger rules and that "the policies we currently have are steps in the right direction, but they aren't enough and they are not consistently enforceable." Anne Stock, a parent and teacher, urged districtwide consistency across hallways and lunches so teachers are not left to police devices alone. Parent Annalena Davis recommended a clear, districtwide "bell‑to‑bell" rule with an ordered sequence of consequences and protections around teacher liability for confiscated phones.
Student voices were also present. One high‑school student, Esam, said many students initially resist the change but will "come around" after adjustment. Senior class president Zach Mangover told the board that a new student advisory committee will survey students and report their findings to the board before its next meeting.
Board reaction and next steps: Members discussed several approaches, including a tiered K–12 policy rather than a one‑size‑fits‑all rule, formal exceptions for medical needs or translation services, and better district tools for official communications. Head high‑school administrator Pat McNamara said he would like to see a policy that eliminates phones in schools and emphasized bullying and anxiety concerns.
The board did not take formal action. Trustees asked staff to gather more information and stakeholder input (students, teachers, parents) and signaled interest in drafting policy options to review in a future session; Community Relations will include targeted questions in its October outreach. The board emphasized the need for a clear timeline and promised to post materials and survey results publicly as they gather them.
What was not decided: No districtwide ban was adopted. The board asked for more data and community feedback before moving from discussion to draft policy or a vote.
