Governor Kathy Hochul met with school leaders, parents, and students from the Finger Lakes region to discuss plans for implementing bell-to-bell smartphone restrictions in schools starting this fall. The roundtable included representatives from Monroe-2 Orleans BOCES, Rochester City School District, Greece Central School District, Holley Central School District, and Spencerport Central School District. These districts have already finalized their distraction-free policies ahead of the 2025-2026 school year.
This event follows similar meetings held by Governor Hochul in New York City, the Capital Region, and Central New York earlier this summer. Additional roundtables are planned before the new school year begins.
Nearly 950 public school districts, charter schools, and BOCES across New York State have submitted their distraction-free policies to state education officials. This represents about 86 percent of the 1,098 total districts and schools covered by the statewide requirement. Around 650 of these submissions are from public school districts. More districts are expected to finalize their policies at upcoming August board meetings.
The Distraction-Free Schools law signed by Governor Hochul requires K-12 schools across New York to enforce bell-to-bell smartphone restrictions beginning in the fall of 2025. Under this policy:
– Unsanctioned use of smartphones and other internet-enabled personal devices is prohibited on school grounds throughout the entire day.
– Schools can develop their own storage solutions for student devices.
– $13.5 million in funding is available to help schools purchase storage solutions.
– Parents must be given a way to contact their children during the day if necessary.
– Teachers, parents, and students must be consulted when developing local policies.
– The policy aims to prevent inequitable discipline.
Governor Hochul said: “Our kids succeed when they’re learning and growing, not clicking and scrolling — and that’s why schools across New York State will be ready to implement bell-to-bell smartphone restrictions this fall. We’re continuing to provide the resources and support to ensure that every school finalizes and publishes their distraction-free policy in the coming days.”
State Senator Jeremy Cooney stated: “We’ve heard from our teachers that the best way to keep our students engaged, focused, and safe from online threats and bullying is to keep their minds on books, not screens. I’m grateful for Governor Hochul’s leadership on the ‘bell-to-bell’ smartphone restriction and for visiting our region to discuss ways we can propel our students to success.”
Assemblymember Harry B. Bronson commented: “I am proud to have worked with Governor Hochul, County Executive Bello, NYSUT, and my colleagues in the Greater Rochester Majority Delegation to make New York one of the first states in the nation to remove smartphones from our classrooms. With Bell-to-Bell in place, Rochester and Monroe County schools will once again be places where students can focus on learning and engage in the face-to-face communications and interactions which are invaluable for social development and relationship building.”
Assemblymember Jen Lunsford added: “When cell phones are used in schools during the day students are distracted: they are more anxious, bullying increases, peer-to-peer interaction decreases and learning is impacted. I support the state’s goal of distraction free schools and joined the Governor in helping pass this policy in the budget this year. While this adjustment will take some getting used to for some, dozens of studies show the positive impacts on students and the school experience when cellphones are banned bell-to-bell. With flexible implementation and funding to support the transition, I am optimistic that we will have a smooth stress-free start to the school year.”
Assemblymember Josh Jensen said: “It’s critically important we work to ensure New York’s education system continues to keep learning at the forefront. I was proud to work in a bipartisan fashion with governor [Hochul]and my colleagues in state legislature make distraction-free measure reality—empowering educators focus teaching enabling students build strong educational foundation free unnecessary distractions.”
Monroe County Executive Adam Bello remarked: “Governor Hochul’s plan restrict cell phone use during school day commonsense measure puts student’s mental health safety academic success first… Study after study shows constant cell phone use contributing anxiety depression bullying sharp decline academic performance attention spans… ban create boundaries help our students thrive.”
Amy Thomas of Monroe County School Boards Association noted: “The Monroe County School Boards Association welcomes Governor Hochul’s statewide policy aimed at creating distraction-free learning environments… Limiting unsanctioned use smartphones personal internet-enabled devices meaningful step toward improving student engagement focus well-being… appreciate comprehensive framework includes dedicated funding implementation opportunities parent educator input clear guidance ensure equitable thoughtful application all districts… flexibility local level appropriate exemptions support medical academic family-related needs… balanced student-centered approach look forward supporting member districts implement plans fall.”
Rochester City School District Superintendent Dr. Eric Jay Rosser stated: “This isn’t just about removing phones from instructional environment… putting our students first… Every minute not distracted minute unlock potential build relationships cultivate kind focus leads improved outcomes… applaud Governor Hochul bold statewide action inviting Rochester part critical conversation.”
Greece Central School District Superintendent Jeremy Smalline explained: “The Greece Central School District has prohibited personal electronic devices classrooms since 2022… Reducing distractions classroom made our students more attentive engaged connected… Staff students families embraced policy highlighting positive results thoughtful change… encouraged see Governor Hochul take distraction-free learning statewide as experience proves approach leads better outcomes…”
Monroe 2-Orleans BOCES Superintendent Dr. Thomas Putnam shared: “Students deserve environments support focus creativity meaningful connection… In developing policy gathered feedback nearly 300 students staff family members… final result reflects shared priorities safety learning equity consistency honoring calls flexibility compassion transparency.”
Holley Central School District Superintendent Karri Schiavone said: “We want acknowledge governor’s efforts thank her listening how Holley support students families during implementation new policy… proud thoughtful comprehensive plan developed locally extensive input community staff members.”
Brian Ebertz (Greece Central Teacher’s Association President/NYSUT Board) commented: “Creating distraction-free schools essential fostering focused successful environment safeguarding our students harmful effects social media cyberbullying outside pressures reducing distractions give children best chance learn grow thrive—academically socially emotionally.”
Dr. Jill Halterman (Golisano Children’s Hospital Chair Pediatrics) stated: “At Golisano Children’s Hospital pediatric healthcare team committed caring whole child supporting efforts promote cognitive social emotional development Creating environment reduces distractions help stay more engaged academically socially appreciate efforts prioritize children’s well-being support both educational developmental outcomes.”
The new rules allow authorized access for simple cellphones without internet capability or internet-enabled devices provided by schools for instruction purposes such as laptops or tablets used as part of lesson plans.
There are exemptions allowing access if required for medical conditions or mandated by an Individualized Education Program (IEP), academic reasons or legitimate purposes like translation or emergencies.
Governor Hochul pursued these changes after conducting a listening tour with teachers parents &students; her report emphasized that smartphones distract from learning but phone-free environments do not compromise safety &support mental health among both teachers &students; open communication key; parent concerns about contact should be addressed; effective policies cover full day &schools can strengthen them through more clubs sports arts programs.
