The Ulster BOCES Board of Education supports efforts to create distraction free learning
environments for all students. These environments can be characterized by greater attention to the
mental health needs of students, positive behavior interventions that attempt to reduce disciplinary
infractions, and strategies to engage students. In consultation with local stakeholders including
faculty, staff, students and parents, as required by Education Law §2803, this policy is an additional
attempt to create a distraction free environment. This policy seeks to define the manner in which
Ulster BOCES will comply with the components of the law that prohibits student use of internetenabled
devices during the school day (including all classes, homeroom periods, lunch, recess, study
halls, and passing time) on school grounds (any building, structure, athletic playing field, playground,
or land contained within the boundary of a school or district or BOCES facility), unless under an
exception (e.g., IEP/Section 504 or as permitted below).

In an effort to clearly communicate the expectations of this policy, prior to the start of each school
year, the school building administration will share a written correspondence to parent(s) or persons
in parental relationship to the student. School building administration will also meet with students
at the beginning of each school year to review the policy and support the students’ efforts to
comply. Each of these communications will minimally include the following:

1. Definitions

a. Internet-Enabled Devices means and includes any smartphone, tablet, smartwatch
(and other wearable device), or other device that currently exists or may exist in the
future that is capable of connecting to the Internet and enabling the user to access
content online;

b. Internet-Enabled Devices does not include non-Internet-enabled devices which are not
capable of connecting to the Internet or enabling the user to access content on the
Internet nor for Internet enabled devices supplied by Ulster BOCES that are used for
an educational purpose;

c. School Day means the entirety of every instructional day, as required by Section
3604(7) of the Education Law, and includes all instructional and non-instructional time,
such as: homeroom periods; lunch; recess; study halls; and time between classes;
d. School Grounds means in, on, or within any building, structure, athletic field,
playground, or land contained within the real property boundary line of any school in
the Ulster BOCES facility;

2. Internet-Enabled Device Access

Students are generally prohibited from using Internet-enabled devices during the school day
anywhere on school grounds.

However, students may seek permission from BOCES authorities to use an Internet-enabled
device during the school day on school grounds:

a. If authorized by a teacher, principal or the BOCES for a specific educational purpose
(i.e., internships, research, etc.);

b. When necessary to manage a student’s healthcare (e.g., diabetes, asthma, medication,
etc.);

c. In the event of an emergency when a school building administrator initiates emergency
protocols for the use of student internet-enabled device access (It is recognized that
in most emergency situations, the use of personal electronic devices can: distract
students from following the directions of staff or emergency responders; contribute to
the spread of misinformation; create congestion in the emergency response system;
and/or interfere with the district’s emergency response protocols);

d. For translation services when prior approval is established by the school building
administrator and/or immediate need is determined by a school building professional;

e. On a case-by-case basis, upon prior review of documentation from medical
practitioners specifically requiring use of electronic devices for the management of a
student’s healthcare and determination by a school psychologist, school social worker,
or school counselor;

f. On a case-by-case basis, upon prior review and determination by a school
psychologist, school social worker, or school counselor for a student caregiver who is
routinely responsible for the care and well-being of a family member; and/or

g. As required by law.

3. Plan Compliance

Students must be permitted to use an Internet-enabled device where the use is included in the
student’s:

a. Individualized Education Program (IEP);

b. Section 504 Plan; and/or

c. On a case-by-case basis, upon prior review of documentation provided by medical
practitioners specifically requiring use of electronic devices and determined by a school
psychologist, school social worker, or school counselor.

4. Device Access and Storage
Students must store their Internet-enabled devices in designated on-site storage areas during
the school day. On-site storage areas may include, but are not limited to: student lockers;
designated storage bins in classrooms; or secure storage areas in the school’s main office. The
designated on-site storage areas must be known to students and provide adequate security to
ensure safekeeping of students’ devices. Ulster BOCES will require each school building
administrator to communicate the procedures for storing and retrieving devices and ensuring
that students understand their responsibilities in using the on-site storage facilities provided.

5. Methods for Parent(s) or Person in Parental Relationship (Caregivers) to Contact Students During
the Day

Parents/persons in parental relation (Caregivers) who need to contact their child during the
school day, may contact their child/children by contacting the School's Main Office by telephone
or sending an email to relay an urgent message to a student during the school day. It is
recommended that Parents/Caregivers telephone the school first and then follow up with an
email with additional details, if necessary. In addition to the main office, please consider
contacting following school building personnel:

a. Principal;

b. Assistant Principal;

c. Guidance Counselor;

d. School Psychologist;

e. School Social Worker;

f. School Nurse; and/or

g. School Secretary.

Ulster BOCES will require each school building administrator to provide contact information for
all personnel listed above.

6. Student Discipline for Accessing Internet-Enabled Devices During the School Day

Ulster BOCES is prohibited from suspending a student solely for accessing internet-enabled
devices in violation of this policy. Students are expected to adhere to the distraction-free
learning environment goals as established in the Ulster BOCES Code of Conduct
https://www.ulsterboces.org/about-us/policies/code-of-conduct.

7. Posting and Translation of Policy

Ulster BOCES will post this policy in a clearly visible and accessible location on its website. Hard
copies will also be available from building offices upon request. Translations of this policy into
the 12 most common non-English languages spoken by limited English proficient individuals in
the state will be provided upon request to the School Building Administrator by a student, parent,
person in parental relationship to the student.

8. Annual Reporting

Beginning September 1, 2026 and annually thereafter, Ulster BOCES will publish an annual report
on its website detailing the enforcement of this policy over the past year. This report will include
non-identifiable demographic information of students who have faced disciplinary action for
non-compliance with this policy as well as an analysis of any demographic disparities in
enforcement of this policy. If a statistically significant disparate enforcement impact is identified,
the report will include a plan to mitigate such disparate enforcement.

9. Electronic Devices and Testing

To ensure the integrity of testing, and in accordance with NYS Education Department Test
Administration Guidelines, students may not bring cell phones or other electronic devices into any
exam locations during state assessments. Teachers may grant specific permission for electronic
device usage during tests other than state assessments.

As specified in New York State Education Department Guidance for State Assessments:

a. Test proctors, monitors and school officials have the right to collect cell phones and other
prohibited electronic devices prior to the start of the test and to hold them for the duration
of the test taking time; and

b. Admission to the test will be prohibited to any student who has a cell phone or other
electronic device in their possession and does not relinquish it.

Students with Individualized Education Plans, Section 504 Plans, or documentation from medical
practitioners specifically requiring use of electronic devices may do so as specified and in compliance
with the approved plan.

Cross-ref: 7151, Acceptable Use Policy for Student Use of Electronic Communications and
Telecommunication Equipment

Code of Conduct
 
Ref: Education Law §2803

Price v. New York City Board of Education, 51 A.D.3d 277, lv. to appeal denied, 11 N.Y.3d
702 (2008) (District may ban possession of cell phones on school property)

NYSED, Prohibition of Cell Phones and Electronic Devices in New York State Assessments,
www.nysed.gov/educator-integrity/prohibition-cell-phones-and-electronic-devices-newyork-
state-assessments