Local schools roll out cellphone restrictions ahead of state deadline

SULLIVAN COUNTY —   Starting this fall, students in all public K-12 schools across New York State will face new bell-to-bell smartphone restrictions as part of Governor Kathy …

“We shall see with the opening of school what the students think about this new environment.””

Traci Gerreira Eldred Jr. - Sr. Principal

SULLIVAN COUNTY —  Starting this fall, students in all public K-12 schools across New York State will face new bell-to-bell smartphone restrictions as part of Governor Kathy Hochul’s Distraction-Free Schools law, passed earlier this year. Intended to minimize classroom interruptions, improve student mental health, and boost engagement, the law mandates that all public school districts finalize and publish their new policies by August 1.

More than 400 districts had submitted their finalized plans as of late July. Under the new law, students may not use smartphones or other internet-enabled personal devices at any time during the school day unless an exemption applies. Districts have discretion in how the devices are stored and how the policy is enforced, and the state has set aside $13.5 million to support implementation.

At Sullivan West Central School District, families should have received a letter today, August 1, outlining the new policy, which will be reinforced with faculty during back-to-school staff meetings in early September. The district is planning a staggered rollout, including updated student handbooks, a new FAQ page, and digital communications via StudentSquare. Code of Conduct revisions will be reviewed by the Board of Education on August 21.

In Liberty, Superintendent Dr. Patrick Sullivan published a message to families explaining that students in the middle and high schools will be expected to silence their phones and store them in lockers. Elementary students who bring devices must store them in cubbies. Students and parents may still communicate during the day through the school’s main office or district email accounts. “Sentiments varied: some families embraced a distraction-free school environment, while others expressed concerns about being able to contact their children immediately,” Sullivan wrote, noting that such concerns are addressed in the district’s online FAQ.

Fallsburg Central School District approved its new policy on July 2. At the junior-senior high school, students will receive Yondr pouches—magnetically locking sleeves that prevent phone use throughout the day. At the elementary level, classrooms will have lockable cubbies for devices. According to Superintendent Dr. Ivan Katz, information sessions in June drew supportive feedback from parents and staff, while students were “cautiously supportive.”

Eldred Central School District will require students at George Ross Mackenzie Elementary to store phones in their backpacks during the day. At the junior-senior high school, phones must be powered off and stored in lockers from arrival until dismissal. Students may use school phones in the main office if they need to contact a family member during the day. Cellphone policies for field trips will be determined on a case-by-case basis.

State officials have emphasized that the law allows for exemptions based on medical needs, IEPs, or legitimate educational and caregiving purposes. 

Districts must also ensure parents have a reliable way to reach their children during school hours and cannot discipline students inequitably based on the new rules.

As the new school year approaches, administrators across the region expect a period of adjustment. 

“We shall see with the opening of school what the students think about this new environment,” said Traci Ferreira, principal of Eldred Junior-Senior High School.

Schools across the county will begin enforcing their policies when students return in early September.

[Editor’s note: Teachers, parents, kids: we want to hear from you. What do you think of the new cellphone ban? Email          editor@sc-democrat.com.]