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Schenectady officials outline how district will implement New York—s new school phone restrictions
Summary
Schenectady City School District staff told parents the district will follow New York State—s 2025 distraction-free school law by banning internet-connected phones and devices during the school day and using grade-specific storage: locked cases for younger children, classroom cases for elementary students, and carryable pouches integrated with entry screening for middle and high school students.
Kendall O'Meely, the district—s executive director of schools and planning and accountability, told parents the district will implement a new distraction-free policy "based on New York State law," and described grade-by-grade procedures for keeping internet-connected devices out of classrooms. The presentation included state findings, operational details and a question-and-answer session about safety and enforcement.
The presenter summarized a statewide listening tour and said the review found that "phones distracted students and inhibited learning and creativity," and that phone-free environments "did not compromise student safety" and can improve mental-health outcomes. The presenter noted that in May 2025 Governor Hochul announced a distraction-free school policy that has become state law and sets a statewide standard while allowing districts to design storage plans and parent contact procedures.
Under the district plan described to parents:
- Pre-K to grade 2: any student who brings a phone will have it housed in the main office in…
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