Hochul in Spencerport joins school leaders, including Holley superintendent, to discuss Smartphone restrictions

Photos by Darren McGee/ Office of Governor Kathy Hochul – There was a roundtable discussion this morning in Spencerport with Gov. Kathy Hochul and some school officials in the Monroe II-Orleans BOCES district. Next to Hochul at left is Dr. Tom Putnam, district superintendent for Monroe 2-Orleans BOCES; and at right, Adam Bello, Monroe County executive. Karri Schiavone, Holley district superintendent, is in back row at far right.

Press Release, Gov. Kathy Hochul’s Office

SPENCERPORT – Governor Kathy Hochul held a roundtable with Finger Lakes region school leaders, parents and students to highlight their plans for implementing bell-to-bell smartphone restrictions when school resumes this fall.

The roundtable included representatives of Monroe-2 Orleans BOCES, Rochester City School District, Greece Central School District, Holley Central School District and Spencerport Central School District — all of whom have already finalized their distraction-free policy.

Today’s event follows previous roundtables held by the Governor this summer in New York City, the Capital Region and Central New York, with additional roundtables to come before the start of school.

Governor Hochul also highlighted that, as of today, nearly 950 public school districts, charter schools and BOCES across New York State have submitted their distraction-free policy to State education officials — representing 86 percent of the 1,098 total districts and schools covered by the statewide requirement.

The nearly 950 policy submissions to date include nearly 650 policy submissions from public school districts across the state. Additional districts and schools are expected to finalize their policy in the coming days at upcoming school board meetings scheduled for August.

“Our kids succeed when they’re learning and growing, not clicking and scrolling — and that’s why schools across New York State will be ready to implement bell-to-bell smartphone restrictions this fall,” Governor Hochul said. “We’re continuing to provide the resources and support to ensure that every school finalizes and publishes their distraction-free policy in the coming days.”

The Distraction-Free Schools law signed by Governor Hochul requires bell-to-bell smartphone restrictions in K-12 school districts statewide, starting this fall for the 2025-2026 school year.

Governor Hochul’s policy creates a statewide standard for distraction-free schools in New York including:

• Prohibiting unsanctioned use of smartphones and other internet-enabled personal devices on school grounds in K-12 schools for the entire school day (from “bell to bell”), including classroom time and other settings like lunch and study hall periods
• Allowing schools to develop their own plans for storing smartphones during the day — giving administrators and teachers the flexibility to do what works best for their buildings and students
• Securing $13.5 million in funding to be made available for schools that need assistance in purchasing storage solutions to help them go distraction-free
• Requiring schools to give parents a way to contact their kids during the day when necessary
• Requiring teachers, parents and students to be consulted in developing the local policy
• Preventing inequitable discipline

Holley Central School Superintendent Karri Schiavone makes a point during the discussion. Dr. Eric Jay Rosser, superintendent of the Rochester City School District, is next to Schiavone.

Holley Central School District Superintendent Karri Schiavone said, “We want to acknowledge the governor’s efforts and thank her for listening to how Holley will support students and families during implementation of this new policy. We are proud of the thoughtful and comprehensive plan we developed locally with extensive input from our community and staff members.”

Monroe 2-Orleans BOCES District Superintendent Dr. Thomas Putnam said, “Students deserve environments that support focus, creativity and meaningful connection. In developing our policy, we gathered feedback from nearly 300 students, staff and family members. The final result reflects shared priorities of safety, learning, equity and consistency while honoring calls for flexibility, compassion and transparency.”

Governor Hochul’s policy allows authorized access to simple cellphones without internet capability, as well as internet-enabled devices officially provided by their school for classroom instruction, such as laptops or tablets used as part of lesson plans.

Additionally, the Governor’s policy includes several exemptions to smartphone restrictions, including for students who require access to an internet-enabled device to manage a medical condition, where required by a student’s Individualized Education Program (IEP), for academic purposes or for other legitimate purposes, such as translation, family caregiving and emergencies.

Monroe County School Boards Association Executive Director Amy Thomas said, “Limiting the unsanctioned use of smartphones and personal internet-enabled devices during the school day is a meaningful step toward improving student engagement, focus, and well-being. We appreciate the policy’s comprehensive framework, which includes dedicated funding for implementation, opportunities for parent and educator input, and clear guidance to ensure equitable and thoughtful application across all districts. Importantly, the policy allows for flexibility at the local level and includes appropriate exemptions to support students with medical, academic, or family-related needs.”