Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the School Policy topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
District outlines 2026–27 code of conduct changes: backpacks, devices and acceptable-use additions
Summary
Administrators proposed edits to the student code of conduct for 2026–27 that prohibit backpacks during the school day (small bags allowed), add an acceptable-use policy for parents and students, and codify New York State's bell-to-bell approach to personal internet-enabled devices.
District staff presented several substantive edits to the Eden Central School District code of conduct for the 2026–27 school year, emphasizing tighter rules on bags and personal devices and an added acceptable-use section for parents and students.
"The backpacks will be prohibited during the school day and that only small bags will be allowed," Mr. McDonough told the board, explaining the change follows reintroduction of locker use. He also described a new acceptable-use addition that clarifies parent/guardian expectations (monitoring, screen time, passwords) and student responsibilities for device care and charging.
On devices, presenters said the code was condensed to reflect New York State guidance on bell-to-bell expectations. "It simply states that New York state mandates that the schools will be implementing the bell to bell policy," the presenter said, noting the policy covers phones, tablets, smartwatches and similar internet-enabled devices and that violations will be handled progressively (warnings followed by stronger responses for repeat incidents).
Presenters added that Chromebooks are collected each June for maintenance and that the code will include an estimate grid for repair or replacement costs and an encouragement to carry device insurance.
