Superintendent previews districtwide safety plan and explains new bell‑to‑bell phone‑storage pouches ahead of Sept. 10 adoption

The Salem Central School District on June 21 opened a public hearing on its annual districtwide safety plan and detailed how the district will implement a state‑mandated K–12 “bell‑to‑bell” phone restriction.

Superintendent (Speaker 2) told attendees the districtwide document — posted on the district website and described in the hearing as a 55‑page overview — is required annually by New York state and is accompanied by confidential building response plans. She said the public may comment during a 30‑day period and that the board expects to adopt the plan at its Sept. 10 meeting.

“We go through this process each year,” the superintendent said, adding the plan covers emergency response roles, notification hierarchies, and recovery supports for both physical and mental health needs. She cited regular participation from local first responders, including the school resource officer and representatives from the sheriff’s office and EMS, as a strength of the district’s approach.

The hearing included a detailed presentation from Mr. Moore (Speaker 3) on how the district will comply with the state’s cell‑phone restrictions. Moore described use of Yonder locking pouches to keep internet‑enabled devices secured during the school day and explained the logistics: students will be assigned numbered pouches, the pouches are locked for the day using a magnet system and may be stored in lockers or carried by the student, and staff will have portable unlocking devices for drills and off‑site activities. “All it is is the button… it’s locked for the day,” Moore said.

Moore outlined exceptions and accommodations. Students with medical needs — for example, those who must check glucose levels — will receive alternate velcro pouches so medical access is feasible. He also said students may use school phones or counselors to contact family in urgent situations, and that the district will develop procedures for students who work after school or need access for extracurricular activities.

Discipline for on‑campus use of a mobile device will be progressive, Moore said: first offense results in the device being held in the office until the end of the day; a second offense requires a parent or guardian to retrieve the device; repeated non‑compliance prompts a parent meeting and potentially stronger consequences. Moore said damaged pouches would typically cost about $30 to replace if the damage was deliberate.

Funding questions drew audience concern. A resident asked whether the mandate is fully funded; the superintendent and other staff said state aid is partial and described funding amounts as variable. The superintendent noted the district receives approximately $10.90 per student for the mandate, characterized in the hearing as a spotty reimbursement, and acknowledged that equipment and implementation costs put pressure on district budgets. “I don’t disagree with this mandate, but it adds to the burden of financially stressed schools,” a resident said.

The superintendent asked members of the public to use the district’s posted survey, email the superintendent or district clerk Gina Eastman, or provide written comments during the 30‑day window. The board will review public feedback before the anticipated Sept. 10 adoption.

What’s next: the district is accepting comments for 30 days and expects to bring the districtwide safety plan to the board for adoption on Sept. 10. The superintendent said copies of the plan are available at the meeting and on the district website.