Patchogue-Medford reports mixed early results from cell-phone ban, surveys show

District staff presented early findings from surveys of teachers and students after implementing the district's distraction-free (cell phone) policy. Administrators said teachers reported moderate or significant increases in student engagement and attention in class, while study-hall and lunch period observations were mixed.

Superintendent Lori Kennedy (as presented at the meeting) summarized teacher feedback: many teachers reported a moderate-to-significant increase in classroom engagement, 51% of teachers reported no resistance when students were asked to hand over phones or place them in district-issued pouches, and most infractions recorded so far were first-offense student pickups rather than repeated offenses. High-school deans logged about 120 ninth-grade infractions this year, the presenters said, with the majority managed as first offenses.

Student ex officio Charlotte Lake and student presenters said many students found the ban easier to adjust to than they expected; some students nonetheless asked to have phones returned and would like reconsideration. Trustees discussed developing complementary activities during lunch (board games, foosball, cornhole) and suggested the district run follow-up surveys including parents.

Board members asked whether teachers' survey responses had been shared with students; staff said building principals and student leaders had received results and that a parent survey could follow in a later round. No formal policy change was put before the board at the meeting; staff said they plan to revisit the policy after additional data collection.