Gov. Kathy Hochul unveiled her $252 billion budget plan Tuesday, including several proposals related to education — such as free breakfast and lunch meals for all students, a College in High School Opportunity Fund, and help in implementing “distraction-free” school policies.
As part of her “distraction-free” initiative, Hochul has proposed banning cellphones in schools from “bell-to-bell,” in other words, the whole day.
The ban would start next school year and individual schools would have flexibility with implementation. Exceptions would be available for medical reasons or learning disabilities.
The budget dedicates $13.5 million to helping schools adjust.
Eight state across the country have already instituted a cellphone ban in schools: California, Louisiana, Minnesota, Indiana, Ohio, Virginia, South Carolina and Florida.
Raj Goyle, a lawyer, tech CEO, co-chair of 5Boro Institute, and founder of a new advocacy group called Phone Free New York, sat down with Errol Louis on “Inside City Hall” Tuesday to talk more about Hochul’s proposal.
“I love the promise of technology, I love what it can do, but there needs to be some safe spaces where we can be screen-free and distraction-free,” Goyle said.
