Eden Central adopts locker storage, bans internet‑enabled devices during school hours

At a public board meeting, Eden Central School District administrators presented and the board approved updates to the 2025–26 district code of conduct that implement a bell‑to‑bell restriction on internet‑enabled devices for middle and high school students.

Assistant Principal and Athletic Director Jason Iwanco said the policy establishes "distraction free school zones" for all internet‑enabled devices and enumerated exemptions: medically necessary devices with documentation, devices required by a 504 plan or IEP, caregiving responsibilities and needs for translation services. He described a progressive enforcement process: "1st offense results in a warning, and the device is returned to the student's locker," followed by confiscation on a second offense and parent pickup plus possible detention on a third offense, with daily secure storage required for repeated noncompliance.

Principal Bill McDonough told the board the district will reintroduce locker use after pandemic changes and expects students to begin using lockers during the school day in September: "So starting in September, the expectation will be that all students will begin using their lockers throughout the course of the day." He said devices at the middle and high schools will be kept in lockers from 7:30 a.m. until 2:15 p.m. under the bell‑to‑bell rule.

The policy allows case‑by‑case exemptions reviewed by the student support team and the superintendent and instructs staff to document incidents and notify parents. Administrators said they will monitor the policy after rollout and consider adjustments based on feedback and operational experience.