Hochul launches listening tour on school cell phone ban

Guilderland (NEWS10) -- Governor Kathy Hochul kicked off her statewide listening tour at Guilderland High School, meeting with superintendents from Guilderland, Albany, and Schoharie, as well as local teachers and union leaders. During the session, Hochul highlighted a concerning trend: “72% of teachers across the nation reported that cellphones are a major distraction for students in their classrooms.”

Hochul emphasized the unique challenges faced by today's students, stating, "The reality is that this generation, more than others, is being subjected to distractions that never existed the way they are now.”

In her discussions with school officials, Hochul noted, “The principals and superintendents also told me about what happens when students are there capturing everything that happens with their cell phone. It's instigating more fights, and they're setting up activities that they want to capture so they can become a social media star themselves. So it's feeding itself and constantly calls attention away from their studies.”

David Blanchard, Superintendent of the Schoharie School District, echoed these concerns. “A school classroom is not an appropriate space for, you know, such a high-powered device that has access to the entire world,” Blanchard said.

Blanchard shared insights from Schoharie’s experience, now in its third year of a distraction-free school environment policy that bans cell phones, smartwatches, and earbuds. Reflecting on the impact of these policies, Blanchard remarked, “You know you can feel it. Parents are appreciative. When you come here and see our classrooms and see our kids are engaged, it's a difference maker.”

While Governor Hochul acknowledged the importance of addressing this issue, she tempered expectations regarding legislative action. “I am not sure if it is realistic to suggest that a bill will be ready for the next session, but I expect the timeline to be measured in months, not longer,” she stated.