Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Education Device Policy topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Brentwood Union Free School District outlines daylong ban on student personal devices to comply with new state law
Summary
A district staff member said the Brentwood Union Free School District will restrict students’ use of personal electronic devices during the school day to comply with a recently enacted state law; the policy sets grade-level limits, storage requirements, restorative enforcement and exceptions for IEP/504 and medical devices.
A Brentwood Union Free School District staff member announced a new district policy restricting students’ use of personal electronic devices during the school day, saying it was drafted to comply with a recently enacted state law that requires daytime limits on mobile phones.
The district framed the measure as an effort to protect instructional time and promote student wellbeing while preserving access for those who need devices for medical reasons or special education. "Una nueva ley estatal exige ahora la restricción total del uso de teléfonos móviles durante el día escolar," the staff member said when describing the legal requirement and the district’s response.
District officials said the policy covers personal phones, smartwatches and similar technology. Elementary students will not be allowed to bring personal electronic devices to school; middle and high school students are discouraged from bringing them. If middle- or high-school students do bring a device, it must be silenced and stored in a district-provided sealed bag, a district laptop sleeve, a school locker or, for high school students, their backpack. The staff member said non-internet devices such as music players and handheld gaming devices are also covered but may be used with principal permission during approved times.
Enforcement will follow a restorative approach, the speaker said, focusing on problem solving rather than punitive measures. "Si un estudiante utiliza un dispositivo durante el día escolar, nuestro personal responderá con un enfoque educativo y restaurador, concentrándose en la resolución de los problemas, no en el castigo," the staff member said. The district added that devices used in violation of the policy will be secured in a safe location and handled in line with the student code of conduct.
The policy explicitly preserves exceptions for students with individualized education programs and Section 504 plans, and for students with medically necessary devices; families seeking exceptions should contact their school principal or the district student services office and provide supporting documentation. The staff member also urged families to use established channels for communication, noting that parents and guardians can continue to contact teachers and administrators through ParentSquare and the eSchool parent portal, and that the main office will deliver urgent messages to students.
District officials said the policy was developed with contributions from students, families and staff. For more information or to request an accommodation, the staff member directed families to contact their school principal or visit the district website. The district closed the announcement by thanking the community for partnering to create a safe learning environment.
