Governor Hochul Hosts Central New York Roundtable on School Smartphone Ban

Governor Kathy Hochul convened a roundtable discussion with school officials, educators, students, and parents in Central New York to address plans for enforcing smartphone restrictions in schools starting this fall. The session, held in partnership with the North Syracuse Central School District, is part of a statewide effort to ensure learning environments are free from digital distractions.

North Syracuse Leads by Example

During the meeting, Superintendent Dr. Terry Ward shared that North Syracuse has already developed and submitted its distraction-free policy, demonstrating leadership and readiness ahead of the upcoming implementation.

The roundtable provided a platform for stakeholders to discuss both the challenges and benefits of smartphone restrictions during the school day, reinforcing a shared commitment to promoting focused learning environments.

Building on Statewide Engagement

The Central New York event follows earlier roundtables in New York City and the Capital Region, as Governor Hochul continues to engage communities across the state. Additional sessions are scheduled in the coming weeks to ensure all school districts are on track to meet the upcoming deadline.

August 1 Deadline for Policy Submission

Governor Hochul reiterated her administration’s commitment to supporting schools in meeting the August 1, 2025, deadline for submitting their finalized distraction-free learning policies.

To assist with compliance, the Governor’s office launched a dedicated website offering valuable resources, including policy toolkits, sample frameworks, and frequently asked questions designed to guide districts through the policy creation process.

New Law to Take Effect in 2025-2026 Academic Year

The newly enacted Distraction-Free Schools law mandates that all public K-12 schools in New York State implement smartphone restrictions from the start of the school day until dismissal, beginning in the 2025-2026 academic year.

So far, over 400 school districts have already submitted plans that align with the law’s requirements.

For any further queries feel free to contact us.

FAQs

Q1: What is the Distraction-Free Schools law?
It is a New York State law requiring K-12 public schools to enforce smartphone restrictions during the entire school day starting in the 2025-2026 academic year.

Q2: When must schools submit their finalized policies?
Schools must submit distraction-free learning policies by August 1, 2025.

Q3: Who participated in the Central New York roundtable?
Participants included Governor Hochul, Superintendent Dr. Terry Ward, school administrators, teachers, students, and parents.

Q4: Has any district submitted its policy yet?
Yes, over 400 districts, including North Syracuse, have already submitted their plans.

Q5: What resources are available to help schools?
A dedicated website with policy toolkits, templates, and FAQs has been launched by the Governor’s office to assist districts.