Student Cell Phone Use Task Force
Our district is currently reviewing policies and procedures related to student use of cell phones at school.
In addition to surveying families, staff and students, we have convened a task force that is currently working to analyze the data, research the topic and provide recommendations to the superintendent later this school year.
The task force also plans to hold community forums as their work unfolds.
Current policy and practice on cell phones
The district’s Student Code of Conduct allows students to use their cell phones, but not during instructional time unless permitted by staff. If a student uses their device in violation of the code, district policy allows staff to confiscate the phone and return it at the end of the day. For repeat offenders, staff can confiscate the phone and will only return it to a parent or guardian.
Two district schools currently collect student cell phones during the school day: Giffen Memorial Elementary School (grades 4-5), and Tony Clement Center for Education.
Task force timeline
The task force will meet at least monthly through December, and it is scheduled to report its findings and recommendations to Superintendent Joseph Hochreiter in January, followed by review and discussion by the Board of Education. Any updates that may be identified would be incorporated into the district’s Student Code of Conduct for the 2025-26 school year.
Surveys
The district began its study of student use of cell phones earlier this year by conducting online surveys from three groups: parents/guardians, staff and students. Parent/guardian surveys were widely shared via email and district social media platforms. Student surveys are being conducted school building-by-school building.
- Parent/guardian survey – July 18-Aug. 9 – 1,389 responses
- Staff survey – Sept. 7-12 – 519 responses
- Student survey (open to grades 4-12) – Sept. 24-Oct. 16
State considering updated guidance
As the district task force does its work, the state also is considering updated guidance for the use of cell phones in schools. In Spring 2024, Gov. Kathy Hochul stated that she plans to propose a statewide policy to tackle excessive smartphone use in schools.
Superintendent Hochreiter participated in a July 15 roundtable discussion on the topic led by Gov. Hochul, the first in a series of statewide meetings the governor is holding to gather feedback.
Disconnected conference
On Sept. 20, the district was well-represented at a New York State United Teachers (NYSUT) conference called “Disconnected 2024.”
The event delved into a range of topics related the effects of cell phone use, social media and technology on schools, learning and mental health. Gov. Hochul participated, noting that the conference marked an important step as the state develops its own guidance on cell phone use in schools.
Superintendent Joseph Hochreiter attended the event, along with the task force co-chairs, additional district representatives and 15 Albany High students.
Co-chairs
Karla McDowell, assistant director of Pupil Personnel Services
Rick Shea, Albany High School Innovation Academy principal
Emma Steckman, North Albany Middle School assistant principal
Members
Shuma Ali, high school parent
Abraham Andrade, middle school student
Lisa Angerame, district communications liaison
Nisha Bernard Stainrod, high school parent
Maxwell Brogoch-Thurlow, fourth grade student
Jazzmine Brown, high school student
Tyronza Hamilton, Tony Clement Center for Education parent
Shannon Capozzola, Honeywell Law Firm
Torrie Chapple, Albany Public Schools United Employees
John Clements, home school coordinator, Albany High
Corey Dobbs, senior hall monitor
Laura Franz, teacher
Malcolm Gandy, home school coordinator, Clement
Jim Grove, Albany Public School Teachers’ Association
Lionel Harris, home school coordinator, Hackett, and CRE representative
Marilyn Jones-Oliver, assistant principal, Albany High
Sean Keefe, high school student
Jeena Madden, high school parent
Lauren McCluskey, Honeywell Law Firm
Joe McDade, district assistant director of security
Sophia Newell, elementary principal, TOAST
Nicole Reddix, school resource officer
Dorian Solot, middle school and high school parent
David Thurlow, Montessori Magnet School parent
Estella Urbaez, Myers parent
Kerry Welcome, teacher, Hackett
Judith Wines, North Albany parent
John Wyld, district director of technology
Sept. 18 meeting summary
- Reviewed and analyzed survey responses parents and guardians submitted in early 2024:
- Elementary responses overwhelmingly favored a total ban
- Middle school responses generally favored a ban, but not as enthusiastically as elementary respondents
- High school responses comprised 45% of all survey responses; respondents were almost evenly divided between those who strongly support a ban and those who oppose it.
- Reviewed and analyzed parent and guardian survey comments
- Shared concern among all grade levels that it is generally difficult to reach school by phone
- Families are not confident in the district’s ability to provide emergency communications in a timely fashion
- Reviewed a summary about local districts’ cell phone bans and restrictions
- Proposed creating a research database for committee members about student cell phone use nationwide, including bans and restrictions.
Oct. 20 meeting summary
- Revisited the committee's guiding principles and essential questions to align on objectives surrounding student cell phone usage across grade levels. Survey feedback was analyzed from staff (519 responses), students (2,622 responses), and parents, with responses categorized into critical areas: emergency communication, health concerns, and support for limiting cell phone usage.
- Reviewed insights from the recent "Disconnected" conference sponsored by New York State United Teachers (NYSUT). The conference addressed the impact of technology on education and mental health. The conference has led NYSUT to support a statewide recommendation for cell phone bans in schools to mitigate adverse effects on student well-being and academic focus.
- Reviewed and analyzed survey data across elementary, middle, and high school levels, focusing on trends and identifying potential interventions. Each group shared their findings, highlighting the varying needs and perspectives across grade levels that may inform targeted recommendations. All documents were shared at the meeting.
- Discussed stakeholder perspectives and plans for an upcoming community forum to update the community on the task force’s progress. No dates were scheduled at this time. Future meetings are scheduled for November and December to continue these efforts.
Nov. 19 meeting summary
- Review of purpose: Revisited guiding principles and essential questions, focusing on concerns around student cell phone use at different levels
- Review of deliverables
- Are the concerns of student cell phone/electronic device use the same across all levels?
- What is the best course of action to address these concerns based on current perceptions of all stakeholders?
- Report on phone answering process at Albany High
- Groups assigned to review and recommend changes to:
- Current board policy versus draft NYSSBA policy on student use of cell phones/electronic devices
- Student cell phone/electronic device restrictions in place in Amsterdam, Bethlehem, Schoharie and South Glens Falls school districts
- What’s next
- Community forums tabled until January, when Gov. Hochul is expected to announce state guidance
- Next committee meeting is Jan. 16 (the meeting scheduled for Dec. 10 was postponed).
Jan. 16 meeting summary
Following January’s guidance from Governor Hochul requiring school districts to implement restrictions, our Cell Phone Task Force met to continue moving our process forward.
Findings and recommendations to date
- Our current policy is applied inconsistently
- Mixed opinions on full-day restrictions via our surveys
- 62% of parents/guardians in favor
- 31% of students in favor
- 88% of staff in favor
- Task force recommends restricted student use during the school day in all buildings – bell to bell, including lunch, study halls and between classes
- Exceptions would include students with specific health needs (as indicated on a 504 Plan or IEP, or with administrator permission)
Next steps
- Share the findings of the task force through district-wide engagement
- Continue to build stronger forms of school-parent communication
- Explore implementation logistics, including storage solutions and administrative enforcement strategies
- Develop policy recommendations for the Board of Education to review
- Consider budget implications for purchasing pouches and necessary storage solutions
Feb. 11 site visit
On Feb. 11, committee members visited the Troy City School District to observe their practices for cell phone restrictions.
Troy implementation model
- Troy uses Yondr pouches for cell phone storage at the secondary level only
- Students place their phones in a pouch at arrival, and staff lock the pouches
- Pouches are unlocked at the end of the school day using magnetic unlocking stations placed throughout the school
- Additional wanding procedures in place at arrival for students who forget their pouch
- Estimated expense – $70,000 for pouches ($30 per pouch); storage cabinets and unlocking stations also required
Troy operational considerations
- Phones not placed in pouches are collected and stored in a secure vault
- Each building has revised entry procedures to incorporate phone collection
- Alternative engagement options such as board games and card games in the cafeteria have helped ease the transition for students
Troy parent and student concerns, and solutions
- Need to reach student during a school emergency – Troy’s SRO has communicated the safety risks of student phone use during school emergencies
- Administrators have developed informal individualized plans for families with specific health concerns
Troy communication alternatives for parents and guardians
- Encouraged to email the school office if they need to contact their child
- Administrators have directed school staff to resond promptly to calls and voicemails from parents and guardians
Troy enforcement and discipline guidelines
- Progressive discipline policy for non-compliance:
- First offense: Warning
- Second offense: Phone confiscation, parent/guardian pickup required
- Third offense: In-School Suspension (ISS)
- Fourth offense: Out-of-School Suspension (OSS)
- Administrators emphasized consistent staff enforcement
- Compared unauthorized phone use to other items such as vapes
- Committee members suggest incorporating a longer timeline for progressive discipline before escalating to suspension.
