Eden Central updates code of conduct to ban internet‑enabled devices during school day

The Eden Central School District board heard a presentation and approved updates to the district’s 2025–26 code of conduct that implement a bell‑to‑bell policy restricting internet‑enabled devices at the middle and high schools. Bill McDonough, principal at Eden High School, said the change reflects a recent governor’s decision and districtwide work by shared decision‑making teams.

Assistant Principal Jason Iwanco described enforcement steps for the new policy: “1st offense results in a warning, and the device is returned to the student's locker. We will document the incident and contact parents to inform them. 2nd offense, device is confiscated…3rd offense requires parent pickup of the device with additional consequence that would include detention.” Iwanco also said repeated noncompliance could require students to surrender devices to secure storage each day.

Superintendent Serticio and administrators said exemptions will be allowed for medically necessary devices with documentation and for devices required by a student’s IEP or 504 plan; caregiving responsibilities can be reviewed on a case‑by‑case basis by the student support team and superintendent. The board approved the code changes by voice vote.

The administration said lockers will be reintroduced beginning in September and that students will be expected to store devices from 7:30 a.m. until 2:15 p.m. to minimize instructional disruption. The presenters emphasized the district will monitor the rollout and communicate with families, offering parent letters, grade‑level orientations and faculty briefings.