Greenville CSD to discuss cell phone use in community engagement session

GREENVILLE, N.Y. (NEWS10)-- The Greenville Central School District is hosting a community engagement session to discuss the use of cell phones in schools. The forum will be held on Wednesday, January 22 from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. in the middle and high school library.

According to the district, the session will be a community conversation with the Board of Education to discuss how to ensure a distraction-free learning environment amid Gov. Kathy Hochul's proposal for a statewide standard for distraction-free learning. In the 2025 State of the State address, Hochul recognized the impact cell phones can have on students and in learning environments and proposed to create a new standard.

"Governor Hochul recognizes that the addictive elements of smartphones and other internet-enabled devices can have detrimental impacts on youth mental health and on learning environments for students and teachers in New York’s schools," an announcement from the governor's office said. "In 2024, the governor engaged in a statewide listening tour and gathered insights on this important issue from a diverse array of parents, students, teachers, school administrators, and other stakeholders. To that end, as part of this year's Executive Budget, the Governor will put forth a proposal to address the problem of smartphones and other internet- enabled devices in schools and create a new statewide standard for distraction-free learning in New York."

According to the district, this community session is a way for the Board of Education and the community to prepare for state plans and regulations.

"Without more information from the State, we don’t know the “standard” of distraction-free learning that will be required," Superintendent Michael Bennett said. "However, our Board of Education would like to start the conversation early to determine what the best course of action will be, if the State leaves the decision up to individual schools."

The district said a recap of the session will be made available after and the agenda is shared on the district's website.

According to that agenda, the session will include conversations about the current policy, how the district would handle a complete ban of cell phone usage, how the distinct would handle a partial ban of cell phones and what the community thinks would be the best way to ensure a distraction-free learning environment.

• 6- 6:10 p.m.
  • Introduction and review of current practices from the Superintendent and Board of Education President.
• 6:10- 6:35 p.m.
  • Discussion Topic #1: If personal technology in school were banned completely, how would this work at Greenville? Example: Requirement to put away devices at all times while in school.
• 6:35- 7 p.m.
  • Discussion Topic #2: If personal technology in school were partially banned, how would this work at Greenville? Example: Only permitted during non-instructional times.
• 7- 7:25 p.m.
  • Discussion Topic #3: What is the best option to ensure distraction-free learning at Greenville?
    • 1 - Complete ban
    • 2 - Partial ban
    • 3 - Leave as is (up to teacher discretion)
• 7:25 -7:30 p.m.
  • Closing

Bennett said he hopes to provide more information regarding the state's requirements at the sessions after the release of Hochul's Executive Budget on Tuesday.