In accordance with New York State law, the following is the newly adopted policy regarding the use of Internet-enabled devices. Beginning in the 2025–2026 school year, Hermon-DeKalb CSD students will generally be prohibited from using Internet-enabled devices during the school day anywhere on school grounds. This policy is intended to help students remain focused on their academic responsibilities throughout the school day.

Below are the procedures for on-site device storage, methods for parents to contact students during the school day, and the consequences for violating the policy.

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Policy 7316: Use of Internet-Enabled Devices During the School Day

The District consulted with local stakeholders, including, teachers, parents, and students, to develop this policy to prohibit the use of Internet-enabled devices by students during the school day on school grounds. This policy aims to ensure that students remain focused on their academic responsibilities throughout the school day.

For purposes of this policy definitions provided in New York Education Law section 2803 apply.

Students are generally prohibited from using Internet-enabled devices during the school day anywhere on school grounds.

However, students may be authorized to use an Internet-enabled device during the school day on school grounds if authorized by a teacher, principal, or the District for a specific educational purpose in accordance with New York Education Law section 2803. ;

Students must be permitted to use an Internet-enabled device where the use is included in the student's:

1.  Individualized Education Program (IEP); or
2. Section 504 Plan.

On-Site Storage of Internet-Enabled Devices Including Cell Phones

It is the student’s responsibility to ensure that personal electronic devices are turned off and placed in the designated areas during times when use is not authorized. Students must store their Internet-enabled devices in designated on-site storage areas during the school day. On-site storage areas may include, but are not limited to, student lockers, designated storage bins in classrooms, or secure storage areas in the school's main office. The designated on-site storage areas must be easily accessible to students and provide adequate security to ensure the safekeeping of the student’s devices. The District will communicate the procedures for storing and retrieving devices, ensuring that students understand their responsibilities in using the on-site storage facilities provided.

Loss or Damage:

The district shall not be responsible for the loss, theft, or destruction of personal electronic devices brought onto school, or District property, or while the student is attending District or school-sponsored activities or events.  

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:

• School Office Phone: 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.
• Written Notes: 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. The district will follow the Student Code of Conduct for appropriate discipline for those in violation of this policy. Cell phone violations will fall under the following categories:

• Failure to comply with a reasonable request (Level 1)
• Unapproved use of an internet-abled device (Level 1)
• Inappropriate use of technology/abuse of computer privileges (Level 2)
• Insubordination (Level 3)

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 the 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
Adoption Date: July 7, 2025