ourschoolboard.org

New York school life — school board news

Friday, November 13, 2026

We bring transparency to school decisions nationwide by tracking school board meetings, district documents, and public data. We use AI tools, rigorously evaluated for accuracy, to search for risks.

Editorial illustration

The policy desk

What’s moving in phones

The debate over phones, screens and the school day.

In the reporting
Editorial illustration

The policy desk

What’s moving in AI

How artificial intelligence is changing classrooms and school rules.

In the reporting
Editorial illustration

The policy desk

What’s moving in student voice

Students speaking up, organizing and helping shape their schools.

No recent stories in this edition. Explore the latest reporting below.

The news desk

Latest New York stories

Ithaca City School District

Board to take up classroom technology rules; administrators say no screen-time limits or district AI tools

At the Oct 13, 2026 meeting, parents, a student and teachers asked for less screen time and more limits on classroom devices, including in grades K-2. Administrators said the district has no set screen-time limits and does not give students generative AI tools, though some approved apps have AI features. Board members said the topic will go to a policy meeting.

↗

Ithaca City School District

Superintendent outlines plan to lengthen the school day starting 2027-28

On Oct 13, 2026 Superintendent Luvelle Brown said the district plans to lengthen the school day starting in 2027-28 under the new teacher contract: 30 more minutes in elementary schools and 15 more in secondary schools. He plans to bring a recommended schedule to the board in February, with community meetings and a survey this fall. On the recording he said a first community meeting was tentatively set for Oct 22 and another for Nov 10, with a community survey hoped for in November or December.

↗

Syosset Central School District

Phone ban rules in Acceptable Use Policy get a rewrite; vote set Nov. 16

Students may not use phones, smartwatches or tablets anywhere at school all day, including lunch and passing time. The board had a first reading Oct. 13, 2026 of a revised Acceptable Use Policy 4526 and Internet Safety Policy 4526.1, with a vote planned Nov. 16. Draft additions include a rule that no tool that handles student personal data can be used until a privacy contract is signed, and a ban on VPNs that get around school filters.

↗

Closer to home

News from neighboring states

Explore the national edition and nearby communities.