The Sherburne-Earlville Central School District will host a Community Forum to discuss banning cell phones during school hours. The meeting will be at 6 p.m., Tuesday, June 18, in the middle school/high school auditorium and all are welcome to join. (Photo by Kelli Miller)

SHERBURNE — The Sherburne-Earlville Central School District will host a Community Forum next week to discuss banning cell phones during school hours.

The meeting will be at 6 p.m., Tuesday, June 18, in the middle school/high school auditorium and all are welcome to join. If attendance is not possible, emailed opinions are acceptable and can be sent to bersonr@seonline.org

“The purpose of the community forum is to review current policy and protocols, learn from panel members the impact of smartphones at S-E, and provide the opportunity for students and parents to provide suggestions and share concerns that will help inform their process,” said Sherburne-Earlville Central School District Superintendent Robert Berson.

“The impact of smartphones at Sherburne-Earlville is presenting the same challenges that schools across the nation are facing, said Berson. “Smartphones are negatively impacting the academic and social-emotional wellness of our students.”

“There have been challenges with students using smartphones and or smart devices during class,” he said. “Nurturing an engaging, hands-on learning environment at Sherburne-Earlville is essential and smartphones represent a significant distraction.”

“The district is not introducing Yondr pouches in 2024-2025,” said Berson.

He said based on current research, local, and national data, the district will be revising their accessibility and use of smartphones and district-issued devices.

Berson also noted current national trends and research will help inform their process and as an example, “Nationally, 77% of schools had some form of cellphone ban in place during 2020, according to the latest figures from the U.S. Department of Education's National Center for Education Statistics.” By Robin L. Flanigan Special Correspondent NYSSBA.

He explained the BMC Psychology Journal published “a research study by screen exposure time was most positively associated with problems in teens’ mental well-being. Social media had a median negative association with mental well-being in adolescents and an increased risk of depression in girls.”

“The district is committed to continually improving opportunities and outcomes for students and the first and best way to accomplish this is by providing the best professional development and support for our dedicated faculty and staff,” said Berson.

He said their faculty and staff need their support through policy revision and will address current and emerging needs relative to smartphones and district-issued devices.

“The teachers support enhancing restrictions on smartphones and district-issued devices,” he said. “The next layer of support comes in two ways: first consistent implementation of new protocols from all faculty and staff and second, consistent implementation from building-level administrators.”

Berson said it’s essential for the district to support all students, parents, faculty, staff, and administrators by keeping safety, learning, and social-emotional wellness at the top of minds throughout this process. 

“The outcomes of our process will be a change for all stakeholders,” said Berson. “The district believes in a solution-based approach, and I am confident our stakeholders will provide sufficient solutions to the challenges the district is currently facing with smartphones.”

The district’s current student cell phone policy is as follows:

Students are prohibited from using or having on, or in any operational mode, any cellular phone, paging device, smart devices, laser pointer or pen, or any other type of telecommunications or imaging device in the classroom, except as expressly permitted in conjunction with a class assignment.

Cell phone usage is also prohibited in hallways, bathrooms, when the student is scheduled to be in class, and while class is in session.

The guidelines clarify if a student violates this rule, then the item will be confiscated and he/she will be subject to discipline under the Code of Conduct. The use of devices can also violate the Code of Conduct and have disciplinary actions.

Student use of electronic devices with photographic, audio, video, and/or text messaging capability, including but not limited to cell phones, cameras, personal data assistants, speakers and other devices, creates the potential for violations of privacy as well as threats to testing and examination security.

Parents who need to contact their children during the school day should do so by calling the main office at 607-674-7380.