As part of the agreement on the fiscal year 2026 State Budget, Governor Kathy Hochul announced that New York is becoming the largest state in the nation to require statewide, bell-to-bell restrictions on smartphones in K-12 schools. New York State’s distraction-free schools policy, which includes all devices that can connect to the internet, will take effect this fall for the 2025-2026 school year.
Currently at Taconic Hills, students are not permitted to use their phones during the school day. In the Elementary School, students are expected to store personal devices in their lockers—a practice that has been effective. In the Junior/Senior High School, we conducted a soft rollout of Yondr pouches this past year. These lockable pouches secure students’ phones at the start of the day and are unlocked at dismissal. While the initial implementation had its challenges, the exposure was healthy and beneficial to this new mandated procedure, which will be fully enforced beginning in September.
The district was able to purchase the Yondr pouches last year using American Rescue Plan (ARP) grant funds, allowing us to prepare for this transition without any direct impact on local taxpayers.
Summer School students are already following the no-device policy, and we appreciate their cooperation. As this is now a statewide mandate, we ask for the continued support of our families and community as we move forward together.
Parents who need to get an urgent message to their children during the school day may call the school main office as appropriate.
For more information regarding specifics, please review the Taconic Hills Board of Education draft policy for distraction free schools here. After reviewing the policy, please use this link to provide any feedback that you have regarding the policy. Feedback will be shared with the Board of Education for their discussions and consideration prior to their adoption of the policy.
The timeline for edits, review, and adoption of this policy is as follows:
Wednesday, August 6 at 5:30PM: Coffee & Conversations with Superintendent Lynnette Brunger
Thursday, August 7 at 5:30PM: Policy Committee Meeting (also available virtually here for those who cannot attend in person)
Wednesday, August 13 at 6PM: First Read of proposed policy at Board of Education Meeting
Wednesday, August 27 at 6PM: Presentation and adoption of policy at Board of Education Meeting
The public is invited to attend any or all of these events. As always, thank you for your partnership and support in your child’s education.