Policy #7316 SUBJECT: STUDENT USE OF PERSONAL TECHNOLOGY USE OF INTERNET-ENABLED DEVICES DURING THE SCHOOL DAY
Liability The District will not be liable for the loss, damage, misuse, or theft of any personal technology brought to any of its schools. The District reserves the right to monitor, inspect, and/or confiscate personal technology when the administration has reasonable suspicion to believe that a violation of school policy or criminal law has occurred. The Board expressly prohibits use of personal technology in locker rooms, restrooms, Health Offices, and any other areas where a person would reasonably expect some degree of personal privacy. This policy aims to ensure that students remain focused on their academic responsibilities throughout the school day, which includes all instructional and non-instructional periods such as homeroom, lunch, recess, study halls, and passing time. For purposes of this policy, the following definitions apply: a)
"Internet-enabled devices" means and includes any smartphone, tablet, smartwatch, or other device capable of connecting to the Internet and enabling the user to access content on the Internet, including social media applications; "Internet-enabled devices" does not include: 1.
Non-Internet-enabled devices such as cellular phones or other communication devices not capable of connecting to the Internet or enabling the user to access content on the Internet; or
2.
Internet-enabled devices supplied by the District, charter school, or Board of Cooperative Educational Services (BOCES) that are used for an educational purpose.
b)
"School day" means the entirety of every instructional day as required by subdivision 7 of the Education Law Section 3604 during all instructional time and non-instructional time, including but not limited to homeroom periods, lunch, recess, study halls, field trips, and passing time.
c)
"School grounds" means in or on or within any building, structure, athletic playing field, playground, or land contained within the real property boundary line of a district elementary, intermediate, junior high, vocational, or high school, a charter school, or a temporary/rented/leased educational facility housing district students, or a BOCES facility.
Students are generally prohibited from using Internet-enabled devices during the school day anywhere on school grounds. This extends to field trips off of school grounds.
However, students may be authorized to use an Internet-enabled device during the school day on school grounds: a)
If authorized by a teacher, principal, or the District for a specific educational purpose;
b)
Where necessary for the management of a student's health care;
c)
In the event of an emergency;
d)
For translation services;
e)
Where required by law.
Students must be permitted to use an Internet-enabled device where the use is included in the student's: a)
Individualized Education Program (IEP); or
b)
Section 504 Plan.
Procedures and Discipline On-site storage and discipline procedures can be found in the district’s Code of Conduct. Methods for Parents to Contact Students During the School Day To accommodate necessary communication, parents or persons in parental relation may use the following methods to contact their student during school hours while adhering to this policy: a)
Parents or persons in parental relation may call the school's main office, and the office staff can relay messages to the student or call the student to the office to speak with their parent or person in parental relation.
b)
Parents or persons in parental relation can drop off written notes at the school's main office, which can then be delivered to the student by school staff.
Parents and persons in parental relation will be notified in writing of the methods that are available for contacting their student during school hours upon enrollment and at the beginning of each school year. Student Discipline for Accessing Internet-Enabled Devices During the School Day The District is prohibited from suspending a student solely for accessing internet-enabled devices in violation of this policy. Posting and Translation of Policy The District will post this policy in a clearly visible and accessible location on its website. Translations of the policy into the 12 most common non-English languages spoken by limited-English proficient
individuals in the state will be provided upon request by a student or other persons in parental relation to a student. Reporting and Mitigation Action Plan Beginning September 1, 2026 and annually thereafter, the District will publish an annual report on its website detailing enforcement of this policy within the District in the prior school year. This report will include non-identifiable demographic data of students who have faced disciplinary action for non-compliance and analysis of any demographic disparities in enforcement of this policy. If a statistically significant disparate enforcement impact is identified, the report will include a mitigation action plan.
Education Law Section 2803