Central Islip Union Free School District
District limits staff to three approved AI tools
The district AI policy for faculty and staff approves only Microsoft Copilot, Google Gemini and DIFFT.
Read the full storyNew York school life — school board news
Saturday, October 24, 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.
The policy desk
What’s moving in phones
The debate over phones, screens and the school day.
The policy desk
What’s moving in AI
How artificial intelligence is changing classrooms and school rules.
The policy desk
What’s moving in student voice
Students speaking up, organizing and helping shape their schools.
The news desk
Latest New York stories
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.
Saratoga Springs City School District
Trustee asks board to review its generative AI policy and other technology rules
On October 8, 2026 a trustee asked the board to look at its generative AI policy (policy 8636). Others asked that the computer use and ed-tech policies be reviewed too. Discussion is planned for the next meeting. This follows parent comments about screen time and school devices and a February 2026 technology report.
Massapequa Union Free School District
District adds anti-bullying partner, task force and climate surveys after bullying complaints
The board is contracting with the Long Island Coalition Against Bullying (September 25, 2026 to June 30, 2027). On October 8 the group presented plans for a districtwide anti-bullying task force, climate and culture surveys, student listening sessions, staff training and parent nights. The district reported 29 bullying (DASA) reports in 2025-26, with 15 found true.
Enlarged City School District of Middletown
Board adopts new Title IX policy on sex discrimination and harassment
On October 8, 2026 the board waived a second reading and adopted Policy 3421 on Title IX sex discrimination and harassment. It was first read on September 24.
Board declares schools a "Safe Zone" and sets rules for outside law enforcement
A board resolution declares the district a Safe Zone. Staff must ask non-local officers, including ICE, to wait outside and notify the superintendent and district lawyer before any access or release of student information. The district will protect student data, post multilingual notices and train staff yearly. Residents asked on October 7, 2026 for regular progress reports.
Greece Central School District
District plans a 60-day family communications app pilot at three schools
The district plans to pilot an app and web platform for school news, events, announcements, and secure family-staff messages beginning November 2. The proposed 60-day trial would include Brookside, Athena Middle, and Athena High School; email would remain available, and the district would use family and staff feedback before deciding on any broader rollout.
Lancaster Central School District
Auditor says Lancaster has no formal AI-use policy
The district's outside auditor reported on October 5, 2026 that Lancaster has no formal policy on how staff and students may use AI tools. Management agreed to review and revise policies and train staff by June 30, 2027.
Rush-Henrietta Central School District
District promises guards, counselors, weapons detection and phone pouches at the high school
After a Sept. 29 Board meeting and a Sept. 30 forum, the district promised six more contracted security guards through June 2027, a new social worker and drug counselor, weapons-detection equipment, and phone pouches to enforce the state ban on phones all day. It is also talking with the Monroe County Sheriff's Office about a school resource officer. A metal-detector proposal was due to go to the Board on Oct. 20, 2026. The district's tracker lists 22 steps: 8 done and 14 on track as of the collected page.
More from the news desk
Port Washington Union Free School District
Phones are banned all school day, bell to bell, with new rules and a first enforcement report
Policy 5695 bars students from using personal phones, smartwatches and other internet devices from arrival to dismissal, including lunch and passing time. Elementary students keep devices off in backpacks. Middle school students store them in lockers. High school students use backpacks or lockers. Exceptions cover health needs, translation, emergencies, IEP/504 plans and approved class uses. Students cannot be suspended out of school only for breaking this rule. The Board revised the policy on September 17, 2026 and adopted the rules (5695-R) on October 1, 2026.
South Huntington Union Free School District
Stimson looks at a nine-period school day
Stimson Middle School administrators showed three options for moving to a nine-period day. The fullest option would cost about $619,476 a year for 5.5 more teachers. Cheaper options would add about 4.5 or 1 teacher. The goals are world language for all, longer music classes, more electives and lunch workshops.
Patchogue-Medford Union Free School District
Board discusses cutting polling places from five to three
On September 30, 2026 the board discussed moving school-vote polling places from five sites (Eagle, Medford, South Ocean, Saxton and Tremont) to three middle schools: Saxton, Oregon and South Ocean. Staff said it could save about $4,000 per election and cut election workers from about 33 to 12. No vote was taken.
City School District of Albany
District limits student AI to approved tools; some parents ask for a pause
The district says students can use only a few approved, supervised AI tools (MagicSchool and Snorkl) and cannot use public tools like ChatGPT or companion chatbots on district devices. The board adopted an AI policy (8636) in early 2025, staff presented an AI guidebook on June 4, 2026, and the district posted an online AI FAQ in September. At June and September meetings, some parents asked for a pause on student-facing AI.
Saratoga Springs City School District
Almost half of high school discipline referrals came from phone violations
The high school principal told the board on September 24, 2026 that almost half of last year's disciplinary referrals were for cell phone infractions under the new state law and board policy 5695, which bars phones all school day. The principal said the rise in phone referrals did not track with the number of suspensions.
Enlarged City School District of Middletown
Board's policy committee plans to take up rules for AI
On September 24, 2026 trustees said the policy committee needs to discuss the pros and cons of artificial intelligence in schools and set guardrails. In May the district had said it does not use AI with students in school but offered family workshops on AI starting May 26.
New Rochelle City School District
Board explores splitting middle schools and ending magnet and gifted labels
The board talked about four early ideas under "Vision 2030": a middle school split (5th-6th grade in one building, 7th-8th in another), ending magnet status and "gifted and talented" programs at Barnard, Webster and Columbus, a therapy center for students with disabilities, and a career and technical program. The board said no decisions have been made and a feasibility study will come later.
Hicksville Union Free School District
Board lets bus company subcontract three routes after losing 30 drivers
The board approved a request from bus contractor EBT to subcontract three routes to another company. EBT lost 30 drivers at the start of the year. The superintendent said many families saw bus delays and that it has no cost effect on the contract.
Hicksville Union Free School District
Special education summer program to move from full day to half day
The superintendent said the district will apply to the state to change its Extended School Year (ESY) summer program for students with disabilities from a full day to a half day. He said the change is not permanent.
Plainview-Old Bethpage Central School District
Board member says Regents scores no longer count in course grades
At the Sept. 22, 2026 meeting a board member said the district's grading policy was changed so Regents exam scores are not included in course grade calculations. Scores are still recorded on transcripts, which state rules require. The superintendent said the same at the Dec. 8, 2025 meeting: the exam used to count 11% of a final average.
Rome Free Academy now screens students with metal detectors and bag checks
Board members said in May that schools would add metal detectors and wands for 2026-27. By Sept. 21, the district safety committee reported screening at RFA each morning, bag checks, and a new visitor check-in system, saying screening is usually done by 7:35 a.m. The board's Sept. 8 report says the district hopes to extend it to Strough Middle School and events.
Lancaster Central School District
Board considers new policy on the rights of immigrant students
The board read proposed Policy 7134, Safeguarding the Rights of Immigrant Students, for the first time on September 21, 2026. A second reading is on the October 5 agenda; a vote would come later.
Riverhead Central School District
Riverhead adopts a policy protecting the rights of immigrant and non-citizen students
The board gave final approval to new Policy 0102 on safeguarding the rights of immigrant and non-citizen students. The policy committee said it follows Education Law 3201-b and covers how the district handles immigration-enforcement requests, access to students and school property, and annual written notice that school resource officers, security staff and administrators must acknowledge.
Three Village Central School District
Board expected to decide on armed school security guards
The district says it is ready to start armed security if the board approves it, with a plan and training in place. The board's 2026-27 goals include finishing its study of armed security and voting on it. No vote has been taken in the records reviewed.
Closer to home
News from neighboring states
Explore the national edition and nearby communities.