Chancellor David Banks has retracted his earlier proposal to ban phones in New York City schools in light of concerns about communicating with students during emergencies.
This decision stems from a communication failure during a recent lockdown at Louis D. Brandeis High School when parents were left uninformed while their children were in distress.
The lockdown incident raised serious questions about the NYC Department of Education’s ability to effectively communicate with parents during emergencies.
During the lockdown, triggered by a report of a potential armed assailant on campus, parents received inadequate information.
“We had a school in this city earlier in the school year where there was word that there might have been a gun in the school, and parents were not notified properly,” Banks said.
This lack of timely communication has intensified concerns about restricting students’ access to their phones during school hours.
The DOE has acknowledged these failures and emphasized the need for improvement, stating that “families deserve timely communications.” As a result, retraining for school superintendents and principals is being scheduled to address these issues.
Despite his previous assertions that “phones have become a major distraction to kids,” Banks now believes it is premature to implement such a policy.
“While we see all the reasons to do it, now is not the time to do it. We want to study it a bit more,” Banks said in an interview with Fox 5.
Part of the proposed plan included using Yondr pouches, which are designed to keep phones securely stored and inaccessible during school hours.
These pouches, which cost approximately $30 each, are magnetically locked and would require schools to purchase large quantities, placing an additional financial burden on already tight budgets that ultimately fall on taxpayers.
Many educators have expressed concerns over the practicality of implementing such a system, especially in light of the recent communication issues during emergencies.
The potential financial burden and logistical challenges of managing pouches raises questions about whether taxpayers should shoulder these costs without clear evidence of the policy’s benefit.
Gov. Kathy Hochul is preparing to propose legislation for a statewide phone ban in schools. Hochul defended the idea of implementing cell phone policies, even in light of the Brandeis incident, citing the need to minimize distractions caused by cellphones and social media in educational settings.
Union leaders from both the New York State United Teachers and the United Federation of Teachers have expressed support for such regulations, arguing that cell phones distract students from learning and fully engaging with the school environment and their education.
As Banks prepares to step down as chancellor of NYC public schools at the end of the year, the DOE faces critical questions about the future of communication strategies during emergencies and the potential implications of a phone ban.
