Middletown schools actually implemented a cellphone-free environment in 2022 and reaffirmed it last year, saying the policy had "significantly enhanced classroom learning experiences across our district.

John Camera, NY State of Politics

MIDDLETOWN, N.Y. – The remaining 100 or so schools and districts in New York that have not submitted a school cellphone ban policy for students are expected to finalize their plans at school board meetings this month, Gov. Kathy Hochul said Monday during a swing through the Hudson Valley.

About 90%, or nearly 1,000 of 1,098 public school districts, charter schools and BOCES, have provided cellphone restrictions to state education officials ahead of the upcoming school year, which is now only weeks away, Hochul said. Submissions were due Aug. 1.

The policy prohibits unsanctioned use of smartphones and other internet-enabled personal devices in K-12 schools for entire school days. Schools may develop plans for storing phones, and the state budget included $13.5 million to help schools buy pouches or other necessary equipment to implement the plan.

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