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Q&A
Introduction of the statewide cell phone ban in schools
3:44:02
·
47 sec
Council Member Rita Joseph introduces the topic of a statewide cell phone ban enacted in the 2026 state budget. She mentions that this is not the first time New York City Public Schools have had a cell phone ban and asks about the current situation in schools.
- The state budget includes a statewide cell phone ban in schools
- School districts have room to tailor their own plans for implementation
- Limited funding is provided in the budget for implementation
- New York City has previously experienced a cell phone ban under Mayor Bloomberg
Rita Joseph
3:44:02
Cell phone bans enacted in 2026 state budget which include a statewide cell phone ban in schools.
3:44:09
The policy leaves room for school districts to tailor their own plans for a cell phone cell phone ban and budget includes limited funding for implementation.
3:44:17
This is not the first time New York City Public School had a cell phone ban and many schools have already implemented their own.
3:44:23
I remember back in on the first deputy chancellor, Mayor Bloomberg had a school ban.
3:44:28
Uh-huh.
3:44:29
You see he's laughing, he knows exactly why.
3:44:32
How many schools already have a cell phone ban and would those schools need to change their policy in order to be aligned with the state policy or we're relying on SLT again to step in and really support that work?
Melissa Aviles-Ramos
3:44:46
You know how much I love talking about this chair.
Rita Joseph
3:44:48
I know you do.