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Salem Central School District board waives second reading, adopts electronic devices policy
Summary
At a special meeting the SALEM CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT Board of Education waived the second reading and adopted Policy 7316 (use of electronic devices) with minor corrections; administrators said the change was required by New York State and detailed building-level implementation will follow.
The SALEM CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT Board of Education on Tuesday waived the second reading and adopted Policy 7316, governing the use of electronic devices during the school day, after brief discussion and minor corrections.
Board Chair opened the special meeting and moved to adopt the policy with the typographical corrections suggested by members; the motion was seconded and approved unanimously.
An administrator told the board the district must upload the policy to meet a state timeline tied to funding, prompting the special meeting. “There were a few people who don’t care for the ban,” the administrator said, but added the policy provides building-level options to address different grade levels and special circumstances. The administrator said the district offered a comment period with 11 submissions from parents, students and faculty and that building principals and Mr. Moore will provide more specific implementation plans in August.
On mechanics, the administrator said older students (grades 7–12) are expected to use Yonder pouches, younger students will keep devices in backpacks or cubbies, and sixth graders will use lockers where available. Discipline will start with warnings and temporary removal of a device for end-of-day pickup; repeated insubordination or property damage could escalate to in-school suspension but out-of-school suspension would be reserved for endangerment, the administrator said.
The board asked about communications and public outreach; the administrator said a back-to-school mailing and posts on the district website and ParentSquare will outline the policy and a planned Q&A. Mr. Moore is scheduled to present building-level details at the next regular board meeting.
The board adopted the corrected policy by unanimous vote and adjourned the special meeting.
