Parent tells board smartphone‑ban exceptions were denied; asks for individualized review

During visitor speaking time at the Webster Central School District board meeting on Dec. 9, parent Jen Spencer described her experience seeking a smartphone‑ban exception for her two sons under New York State Education Law.

Spencer said both children have documented diagnoses (food allergies, anaphylactic asthma, ADHD, autism and, for one son, OCD) reflected in their IEPs and related medical documentation and that the statute provides for exceptions in certain individualized circumstances. She told the board the district’s written denial was “generic,” containing typos and incorrect pronouns, which she said indicated a lack of individualized review.

"There is no reasonable basis or precedent for denying my sons the exceptions," Spencer said. She added that follow‑up emails and phone calls went unanswered and that district staff only reached out with what she described as a fact‑gathering message after she asked to speak at the board. "I was effectively ghosted by administration," she said, and concluded her comments to the board with: "Do better."

Board members did not provide an immediate verbal response on the record during public comment. The transcript records Spencer urging the board to commit to individualized consideration and timely responses for her family and for others navigating the exception process.

Authorities referenced by Spencer included a citation to New York State Education Law (section cited in transcript as "2 8 0 3"). The board did not take formal action on her request at the meeting; the visitor comment was recorded during the public comment section of the agenda.

Action: No formal board action recorded in the transcript. The comment is on the public record and may prompt follow‑up from district administration.