Distraction-Free Schools

During the 2025–2026 school year, Hicksville Public Schools recorded 698 documented responses to confirmed violations of the distraction-free schools policy. The majority of enforcement activity occurred at the High School, which accounted for 639 responses, or 91.5% of the district total. The Middle School recorded 59 responses, representing the remaining 8.5%. These figures reflect the number of documented responses issued, not the number of individual students, because a student may have received more than one response during the school year.

At both schools, most students involved received only one documented response during the school year. At the High School, 292 of the 430 students involved (67.9%) received one response. An additional 92 students received two responses, 33 received three and 13 received four or more. At the Middle School, 43 of the 51 students involved (84.3%) received one response, while eight students received two. No Middle School student received three or more documented responses. Overall, the data show that repeated responses involved a smaller share of students at both schools.

September, the first month the distraction-free schools policy was in effect, recorded the highest level of enforcement activity, with 175 documented responses. Responses declined sharply to 79 in October and generally continued downward through January. Although activity increased from March through May, every full month after September remained below the initial peak. June recorded 30 responses through June 16; because it represents only a partial month, it should not be directly compared with the district’s full-month totals.

English Language Learners: 10.7% of enrollment and 37.4% of disciplinary responses; disparities were identified at both schools. Hispanic Students: 42.1% of enrollment and 57.2% of disciplinary responses; disparities were identified at both schools. Male Students: 51.7% of enrollment and 62.6% of disciplinary responses; a significant disparity was identified only at the High School. Students with Disabilities: 13.9% of both enrollment and disciplinary responses; no significant disparities were identified. Economically Disadvantaged Students: 54.1% of enrollment and 51.8% of disciplinary responses; no significant disparities were identified.

While overall cell-phone incidents dropped, enforcement varied across student groups. Most repeat violations were concentrated in a small group, with 14 students accumulating four or more infractions. During the 2026–27 school year, the District will: 1. Conduct translated grade-level assemblies at the High School to ensure that all students clearly understand the policy, storage requirements and consequences for repeated violations. 2. Review enforcement procedures with staff to promote consistent responses across classrooms and buildings. 3. Provide additional reminders and family outreach for students with repeated violations. 4. Require students who accumulate three or more violations to use a District-provided secure storage device during the school day to limit subsequent infractions and support compliance. These measures are intended to preserve the policy’s positive downward trend while promoting fair, consistent and supportive enforcement for all students.