[{"_1":2,"_124":-5,"_125":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100,112],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6183702,"mediaKeyId","5094066-c73e5b8f867e4bd999896235874c39e5","parentId",5094066,"title","New state mandate forces district to adopt student device policy by Aug. 1; board debates enforcement details","audioSeconds",1058,"startMs",14187000,"endMs",15245000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5094066-c73e5b8f867e4bd999896235874c39e5&start=14187&end=15245","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5094066-c73e5b8f867e4bd999896235874c39e5/thumbnail_14187000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6183702/New-York/New-state-mandate-forces-district-to-adopt-student-device-policy-by-Aug-1-board-debates-enforcement-details","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6183702-eb8b33bde6d9b2a06b2bd526beef8649/orig.mp4?Expires=1771007862&Signature=ZSQOkymWYMPRxt6EhyTtHDFiBISxq~ISX2QW1Wz8J0ODNLUgI0zKcClK39Nb5bame9H954k9~U7QdIhhnqsCsK36L0zJZQqQrPpVGcE96nWKSapfAaXQPQATqI2nFKU0s9cdzt6j~-JxPRnrrmo4vSOTsovUUF0DrXcIr6yjcnKbI6xOpxF02qRQTksbDRz8f6bWZ8j61FGDb~GeGY735RP5lYviNrsAH9fkAAE-15icPzXt4CkOjyt8BjXP3kfNLF6HOFDjHlpeTeBhkUpN3iojWB1toNtrQD0zbQTp3wjJzgnj43J~O13Ju9r56BRry0kuohg8~AlIOb8QM5kvvg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Port Washington UFSD","date","2025-06-18T03:05:43Z","article","The Port Washington Board of Education reviewed a first-draft policy on personal electronic devices at its June 17 meeting to comply with recently enacted state law. The statute requires districts to adopt a written policy prohibiting student use of personally owned internet-enabled devices during the school day; the law includes listed exceptions for individualized education plan (IEP) needs and other narrowly defined circumstances.

Policy Committee Chair (Trustee) Julie Epstein said the draft mirrors the mandated language and that the district had used NISPA templates as a baseline. Epstein told the board the administration had sought stakeholder input through compact committees that included students, staff and administrators.

Trustees debated enforcement details. Several trustees argued for clear operational rules that make compliance easier for staff (for example, turning devices off or storing them in pouches) and reduce enforcement burden; others preferred a lighter approach for the policy's first year to allow administrators to collect feedback and refine the policy after implementation. Epstein and others noted the board must adopt a policy by Aug. 1 to comply with the law.

Trustee Deborah Brooks asked whether the policy should require devices be \u00153off\u00154 rather than \u00153silenced\u00154 to reduce the chance that vibration and notifications prompt students to unzip backpacks during class. Trustees also discussed student input and the need to review impact at midyear.

Board and administration said the policy will be returned for a second read and adoption at a future meeting (the administration also intends to collect further stakeholder input and monitor implementation). The board did not adopt final enforcement language at the June 17 meeting.

Why it matters: The law alters in-school device rules across the state; how districts operationalize the mandate affects classroom instruction, student access to online resources and staff enforcement workload. The board's early decision to implement a policy while gathering feedback reflects an attempt to comply with the statute while preserving flexibility for local adjustments.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","BOE Meeting 6/17/2025","oneSentenceSummary","Following a new state law, the board reviewed a first-read policy on June 17 that will prohibit students from using personally owned internet-enabled devices during the school day; trustees debated operational enforcement language such as \u00153off\u00154 versus \u00153silenced.\u00154","taxTitle","PORT WASHINGTON UNION FREE SCHOOL DISTRICT, School Districts, New York","taxId",38298,"location","New York","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6183707,"Youth environmental group presses district for more plastic-free lunch days and dishwasher funding",325,4776000,5101000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5094066-c73e5b8f867e4bd999896235874c39e5&start=4776&end=5101","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5094066-c73e5b8f867e4bd999896235874c39e5/thumbnail_4776000.jpg","/articles/6183707/New-York/Youth-environmental-group-presses-district-for-more-plastic-free-lunch-days-and-dishwasher-funding","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6183707-7880ed1f3589520a8e89794024d79bc2/orig.mp4?Expires=1771007862&Signature=ZgqEVL8pkfdzGdPDGW8rLgB9i6mLim0edJuqbthjLRnp7UhlcspshtGZXifws3o731Ne~IEthrSmZbxi8RyjI9aB0XKhvoE1Duid7HQM5TUWxuCdYZn7EW1iN11kj5PcG-jO9JmjPzvHMwPx3XLg0vtvTl6xY4OhEUiRTx5IpI3QoYEueU9GyD4aJv95namwn2A1AUiypLFJy2l1j9oJoqilj8FCNlLPE3jaiLkARRdBDpCjH91PVBmN6Igm0u30TA74SZeYhbV4IQ6cVyyc-6Q7WG4woeN7~ioZA0Eu8eyRDYVMRnv4WITEN5dhjZglnG~trOCdcwli5EIfLPePHw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Students and parents representing Transition Town Port Washington urged the Board of Education on June 17 to expand plastic-free lunch days and to support investments in dishwasher systems for district cafeterias.

Speakers said last year's plastic-free lunch day was successful but attempts to repeat it this school year were hindered by limited communication from Aramark and the district. Isaac Grabard, a senior at Schreiber High School, said the group \"received minimal communication from both the administration and Aramark,\" which prevented them from organizing the event this year. Students requested short-term steps (more plastic-free lunch days) and long-term steps (district support for cafeteria dishwashers).

Parent leaders pointed to health and environmental research connecting plastic exposure to longer-term health risks and said installing dishwashing equipment would reduce single-use container reliance. Margaret Galbraith, Transition Town president, told the board Aramark removed many single-use items last year but that plastics returned this year; she said the district's new grant writer might pursue dishwasher grants but asked for clarity on timing and responsibility.

Board and administrative response: Presenters said they met with Aramark earlier in the year but did not get a timeline. Trustees did not adopt any formal motion or funding at the meeting. Administration representatives said they would follow up with Aramark and the district's grant-writing staff; no grant applications or timelines were disclosed in public comments.

Why it matters: Student health, cafeteria procurement and vendor coordination intersect with district food-service contracts and capital planning; dishwasher installations would require funding, vendor selection and possibly physical modifications to cafeterias.","Students and parents with Transition Town Port Washington told the board on June 17 they want more plastic-free lunch days, better coordination with Aramark and district support for dishwasher systems to reduce single-use plastics.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6183712,"Community speakers urge board to adopt policies and supports for undocumented families; trustees request administration update",5713,4561000,10274000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5094066-c73e5b8f867e4bd999896235874c39e5&start=4561&end=10274","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5094066-c73e5b8f867e4bd999896235874c39e5/thumbnail_4561000.jpg","/articles/6183712/New-York/Community-speakers-urge-board-to-adopt-policies-and-supports-for-undocumented-families-trustees-request-administration-update","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6183712-a3dec94daa1e26cf85daa3f3b89122c6/orig.mp4?Expires=1771007862&Signature=SabZwH7Rl7gMHLiPu7YOJ2jPZWYnzQWe3koMeZ9mV5s8DNR2vf5EhveUz3wiZEhTIx05Mg6dNnYvMh4iyDyCWbXd~V66H6kRy9eVx5PO7oqpaR0QQ9KAC5D3XFAXhxsleCyjLjsA-UvXxC1AqEmvcC6y02HZtjL9CVshXfzb4EECRmM38imSjMKQjF~~2vAJxdAhf-ZIhopepKF7a5Hbv2mtCIj0x8vtwBbNuZ8oUy46klDNmHx5Ja2FWj8994kOY7zR9JM6vG0hTcCnNY4iMQ6JKTCTDl126uKzDtSQW-z~0Giy7wuopwlA7TnVz8QSCFd-3mkn~mvNUTd90m09vw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Several speakers at the Port Washington Board of Education's June 17 meeting urged the district to adopt explicit policies and practices to protect undocumented students and families and to expand support for those facing fear of immigration enforcement.

Community members referred to model protocols used in other districts and immigrant-rights resources and asked whether the district currently maintains policies to shield families from nonlocal law-enforcement actions and to provide \u00153know-your-rights\u00154 information. Lauren Tao, one speaker, asked: \"Do we currently have any district policies in place to help protect undocumented students and families? If not, are we in the process of drafting policies?\" (public comment)

Amanda Perez Leader, speaking as a member of the Latino community, described heightened anxiety among immigrant families and asked the board and administration to make student safety a priority. She asked the new superintendent to make outreach and clarity about protections an early priority so students know they are safe on school premises.

Trustees discussed next steps in public session and asked the administration to perform a confidential \u00153temperature check\u00154 on student and family well-being and to report findings to the board. Trustee Julie Epstein noted earlier work on protocols and urged that operational protections remain in place and, when appropriate, be discussed in executive session to protect student privacy. Trustee Sandra Alvarez asked the board to consider whether the topic should be a board priority going forward; several trustees supported asking administration for a packet-level update followed by further discussion if necessary.

What was not decided: The board did not adopt a new, specific policy or resolution during the meeting. Trustees asked the administration to prepare information on existing protocols, any needed policy changes, and proposed next steps for board review; they did not set a specific public deadline for that report during the meeting.

Why it matters: Speakers emphasized that fear and uncertainty about immigration enforcement can harm students' ability to learn and asked the district to use its policies, communications and partnerships to reduce that harm. Trustees indicated they will seek administration information while protecting confidentiality and students' privacy.","Multiple community members urged the Port Washington Board on June 17 to adopt policies to protect undocumented students and families and to expand outreach and support. Trustees asked administration for a confidential check-in on student and family well-being and to report back to the board.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6183717,"District climate survey shows strengths in staff collaboration, flags bullying and workload as focus areas",1068,11684000,12752000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5094066-c73e5b8f867e4bd999896235874c39e5&start=11684&end=12752","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5094066-c73e5b8f867e4bd999896235874c39e5/thumbnail_11684000.jpg","/articles/6183717/New-York/District-climate-survey-shows-strengths-in-staff-collaboration-flags-bullying-and-workload-as-focus-areas","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6183717-8cb388c065165a16c158acfef8c3b97e/orig.mp4?Expires=1771007862&Signature=D25Sf17MSCLvpKoHooh3zplvnxa0RAa9-oJJepAK8DXfGM94RoXViF3OA6laNFmlnJpJTnkp5oyJ~fmq83fDNt37jkkXhvez57iikNwvXXgdGm2fQih3AGvNG38ZUfBwIqIUXHyAIV~pvydBNJYCU-34X80fD6h2YSL9gXR2xujM03PFIj51R5X-Wf63svv5IhjHP37bSWr6czCWhPz~qEHvnB6TIo1WKeAPoZcRe73YXjSJZKtSyGYEo80TkaxYjdA0APeeBWV1s9rN761GiTf7V0p13Zxrhe~1Z~zz9hnC1Sej6hDlPvc7qbXnt48gH7k73N5Mso9DOPI-rGesAg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Port Washington administration presented results from the district's fourth climate survey (administered via ThoughtExchange) at the Board of Education meeting on June 17, reporting mixed results: positive marks for staff collaboration and extracurriculars were offset by recurring concerns about bullying, homework burden and resource shortfalls.

Superintendent-level staff said the survey combined multiple-choice scales with open-ended questions and that building principals will receive detailed, building-level results to guide local follow-up. Dr. Sean Feeney, who presented the report, said the platform's analysis tools helped identify themes in thousands of open-ended responses.

Key findings presented by Dr. Feeney included:
- Positive feedback on teacher-student relationships and staff collaboration; many students and families praised clubs, events and teacher support.
- Repeated concerns about bullying and social tensions among students, and reports that discipline rules and enforcement sometimes feel inconsistent to families and students.
- Wide variation in homework load, particularly in grades 6\u00012, with multiple respondents reporting multiple hours nightly; families said unclear instructions made home support difficult.
- Resource and staffing shortages cited by teachers, including needs for specialists, paraprofessionals and technology updates.
- Facility concerns surfaced in open comments (bathrooms and cafeteria space).

Dr. Feeney summarized the administration's view this way: \"We can't be afraid to look at areas where we need to grow.\" He said principals will use the full dataset and follow-up exchanges to build targeted action plans and that another administrator session with ThoughtExchange is scheduled in July for deeper analysis.

Trustees asked for disaggregated data. Trustee Deborah Brooks asked whether the district could isolate response rates and concerns by building so administrators know where to prioritize resources; Feeney said the system can link responses to specific buildings (while preserving respondent anonymity) and that building-level analyses would be shared with principals and the board. Board members also discussed whether the state assessments and other school screeners align with the survey findings for subgroup performance.

What happens next: Building principals will review detailed reports, follow up with staff and parent groups, and return with action plans. The administration said it will present additional analysis to the board after July sessions with ThoughtExchange.","The Port Washington district's ThoughtExchange climate survey, presented June 17, found favorable responses about staff collaboration and extracurriculars but flagged bullying, homework load and resource shortages as recurring concerns. Administrators said principals will engage building communities on next steps.",{"_33":113,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":114,"_41":115,"_43":116,"_45":117,"_47":118,"_49":119,"_51":120,"_53":121,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":122,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":123,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6183721,"Port Washington board appoints Dr. Gaurav Posse as superintendent in 7-0 vote",396,6368000,6764000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5094066-c73e5b8f867e4bd999896235874c39e5&start=6368&end=6764","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5094066-c73e5b8f867e4bd999896235874c39e5/thumbnail_6368000.jpg","/articles/6183721/New-York/Port-Washington-board-appoints-Dr-Gaurav-Posse-as-superintendent-in-7-0-vote","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6183721-d434aeb1b89b199c27f4eddd3c2cba14/orig.mp4?Expires=1771007862&Signature=lO0aodHCNyfZodAjeYZYxMM0ScHdV--UWNu5v~afFybhngACFuDe3nss3jO8-NP8MmvTULst1W7I7AnmRUIxpSvT8lkkIR0AWnvk8pWlzj-fQso9pB8fVuzodrKF5kvOwSXKNMxMNHsn6jBrT3naH0KZM0xfIUb-dxM5pqIuBgzy7D3FmxcfuBPc1WIRATyHVLAQUZV4EaRomensR--AjnNtIiw7u-pFMnmkDc1eiUGonTqMn87GxMtb-tPJvEJ9yxmdQSwjFmnejN6WTDHhKw61iU4HZAmpNthwIvSW-Sg7Ingu1~jM1MC0qtPs9o~-ZXYol1J-e8ty7FA5rJ1JdQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Port Washington Board of Education voted 7-0 on June 17 to appoint Dr. Gaurav Posse as the district's next superintendent of schools.

The appointment concluded a multi-month search process the board described as thorough and informed by community input. After the board's motion passed, Posse addressed the meeting, thanking the board and saying he was honored to join the district.

Dr. Gaurav Posse, the incoming superintendent, said, \"I'm truly honored to join the Port Washington School District as your next superintendent of schools, and I want to just express my sincere gratitude to the Board of Education for the trust you've placed in me.\" He also thanked Dr. Chris Shields for his work as interim superintendent.

Board President Adam Smith opened the agenda item by noting the selection and hiring of a superintendent is the board's principal responsibility and that the board had solicited input through surveys and town halls during the search. Trustee Deborah Brooks seconded the motion appointing Posse; the record shows the motion passed unanimously.

The board also appointed Caitlin Costello as the student ex officio board member during the same meeting.

What happened next: Posse introduced family members in the audience and said he was eager to listen and learn from the community. The board did not take additional formal actions tied to the appointment at the meeting beyond the vote and the customary welcome remarks.

Why it matters: The superintendent is the board's chief executive for district operations and curriculum, and the appointment begins a formal transition that includes implementation planning and community outreach in the weeks ahead.

Looking ahead: The board and administration said they expect to work with Posse on the district's summer planning and fall start-up. Specific implementation steps, contracts, start dates, and other employment details were not included in the motion recorded at the meeting.","The Port Washington Board of Education voted 7-0 on June 17 to appoint Dr. Gaurav Posse as the district's next superintendent. The board said the appointment follows a multi-month search and invited Posse to make brief remarks after the vote.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

New state mandate forces district to adopt student device policy by Aug. 1; board debates enforcement details

Youth environmental group presses district for more plastic-free lunch days and dishwasher funding

Community speakers urge board to adopt policies and supports for undocumented families; trustees request administration update

District climate survey shows strengths in staff collaboration, flags bullying and workload as focus areas

Port Washington board appoints Dr. Gaurav Posse as superintendent in 7-0 vote