Schuylerville Adopts State Mandated No Phone Ban.

Schuylerville is the latest Saratoga County School District to adopt a state mandated phone ban in schools. 

The policy was adopted on Aug. 18 and details both how students are supposed to store their devices and the potential consequences for violating the policy. 

Under the policy, students in elementary school are required to store their devices in their lockers if they bring them to school.  While the lockers don’t have locks built in, students can bring their own personal locks under the condition that they submit the key or combination to the school. 

In addition to phones, students are barred from bringing in smartwatches, tablets and all headphones and earbuds — both wired, and Bluetooth enabled devices. 

Students in middle and high school have a similar policy. Students are required to keep their phones off and in their lockers during the school day. Under the policy, students aren’t allowed to use their phones during rest period including lunch, study halls and in the hallways in between classes. 

Students who need to contact their parents can do so in the main offices of their respective schools. Parents can also contact the school and request to speak to their student. 

The policy also laid out the consequences of violation. 

• 1st Offense: Student or teacher brings phone to office where it is held until the end of the day.

• 2nd Offense: Student or teacher brings phone to office where it is held until a parent/guardian can pick it up.

• 3rd Offense: Student or teacher brings phone to office where it is held until a parent/guardian can pick it up, student is assigned a detention.

• 4th Offense: Student or teacher brings phone to office until parent/guardian can pick it up, further consequences are provided at the discretion of the administration.