Largest School District In Capital Region Won’t Ban Cell Phones

Cell Phone Ban in Upstate New York

While many schools in New York State are split over whether or not to ban cell phone usage on school property, the Capital Region's largest school district says it won't, instead opting for a more "responsible" approach, according to the school's Superintendent.

Dr. L. Oliver Robinson, the Superintendent of the Shenedehowa Central School District, told NewsChannel 13 that the school won't ban cell phone usage among its 9,400+ K-12 students.

Shen Taking a More "Responsible" Approach

“Think about where we are in society. Right now, we all have cell phones in our possession, and so it’s not about having (them). It’s about responsible use,” Robinson said in an interview. “We’re going to hold kids to the high expectations, and when it doesn’t happen, we address it accordingly.”

Robinson told the news station that cell phones can be used as long as they are appropriate and do not interfere with teaching and learning.

However, Governor Kathy Hochul continues her statewide push to ban smartphones inside New York schools, and some schools in the area have already adopted a "cell-free" policy.

Should All Schools Do This?

Eventually, they most likely will, but some schools in the Capital Region already have taken a more rigid stance on cell phone usage in schools, and the Cambridge Central School District is one of them.

Gov. Kathy Hochul announced last month that she plans to introduce legislation allowing students to carry phones without internet access. The bill would be considered in New York's next legislative session, which begins in January.

“When it comes to smartphones and other internet-enabled devices in schools, it's clear that the status quo just isn't working for our young people and educators,” Governor Hochul said. “I'm gaining valuable feedback from teachers and parents across the state to ensure we develop effective solutions that will deliver the best result for our kids.

Shen Addresses Cell-Phone Usage on School's Website

The Shen staff says students should learn how to manage and handle devices effectively, and they listed some strategies for accomplishing that on the website's "Code of Conduct" page.

• Modeling boundaries with phone use and strategies (e.g., a teacher makes a habit of putting away their phone with the class).
• Asking students to inform their teacher in advance if they need to use their phone for an emergency related issue.
• Communicating with students and working to understand their needs around cell phone use.
• Developing clear classroom agreements around cell phone use and what works best when people forget or violate that agreement