Hochul warns of back-to-school disruptions as school districts begin new 'no cellphones' policy
Governor Kathy Hochul visited Middletown to praise a school district that is already complying with the state's new cellphone ban in schools, but also to warn students and parents to be ready for some disruptions once the school year starts.
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Governor Kathy Hochul visited Middletown to praise a school district that is already complying with the state's new cellphone ban in schools, but also to warn students and parents to be ready for some disruptions once the school year starts.
"You can see a definite rise in addictive algorithms bombarding our students and their minds all day long," Gov. Hochul said as she began a roundtable discussion at Middletown High School with district leaders and students.
She said the Middletown School District has been a solid example for other school districts to follow as the statewide cellphone ban in schools is about to take effect.
Since 2022, the district has been requiring students to store their devices in lockers or in special pouches during the school day.
The pouches lock in the phone, and the locks are deactivated at the end of the school day.
Gov. Hochul said there are likely going to be long lines to get into school and confusion as all school districts begin their no-phones policy.
She said the disruptions will be worth it to be able to help young people break "an addiction" to technology, help students focus, and make them more social, re-enforcing that "change is hard."
Egly Mills, the mother of a rising second grader, likes the ban.
She wants to minimize distractions for her daughter.
"I would be watching them all the time to make sure they're watching something safe," she said Monday as she loaded groceries and her children into her car. "So when they are by themselves at school, I have no idea what is happening there, so I agree with it."
Delilah Ahalpheaus does not agree with the ban.
She explained that after a December 2023 incident at Monhegan Middle School during which a student was stabbed, she could not contact her daughter, and the school did not provide an update for parents for hours.
"We're in the age of technology," she said. "So you want to be able to text your child, or whoever you're guardian to, just to make sure they're OK."
Gov. Hochul said she used to feel similarly, but her mind was completely changed after speaking in-depth with law enforcement experts.
She said the experts from several agencies said students' phones could make noises that give away their locations in an active shooter situation, also that students might use their phones to record an emergency incident, further endangering their peers.
"The No. 1 responsibility in that event lies on the shoulders of a teacher," Gov. Hochul said, "a highly trained professional at the front of the classroom who knows what to do. She will lead those children to safety, and that is the best outcome in that scenario."
Hochul said about 90% of all school districts in the state have submitted their no-cellphones policies to her office.
The rest, she said, will have to finalize their policies at their upcoming board meetings before the start of the school year.
