Lackawanna City School District implements "no cell phone" policy

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) -- The Lackawanna City School District announced Tuesday morning the implementation of its new "no cell phones/electronics" policy, which will take effect in the 2024-25 school year.

Lockable phone bags will be provided for all students to put their phones in at the start of the school day, the district said in a statement.

The bags will stay "securely locked" and remain in students' possession throughout the day. At the end of the school day, the bags will be unlocked.

According to the district, students who don't adhere to the policy will be in violation of the district's student code of conduct. The consequences will be "applied accordingly based on the nature of the infraction," the district said.

The district's decision comes after Gov. Kathy Hochul started a push in July that would ban cell phones across the state. She went on tours around New York to study the effects of social media use on teenagers.

New York City, Los Angeles and the state of Virginia have already made moves to ban phones in schools.

"LCSD understands that this significant change requires the cooperation and support of all families," the district said in a statement. "The district emphasizes the importance of parents discussing the new rule with their children and encouraging them to embrace it as a positive step toward their academic and personal growth."

The district will host town hall meetings for parents and guardians to learn about the policy and provide their thoughts and feedback. The meetings will be held on the following dates:

• 9:30 a.m. Monday, Aug. 19 in the high school/middle school library
• 6 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 29 in the high school cafeteria