A group of parents is pushing lawmakers to back Gov. Kathy Hochul’s proposed ban on cellphones in schools – as concerns grow that politicians are getting cold feet over the plan.
The 11th-hour groundswell comes as state lawmakers have made moves to allow local districts to have leeway over the ban, with fears that will mean administrators backing off a full-day prohibition.
“At this critical moment, legislators must not take the wrong path,” the advocates said in a pointed letter to legislators, including Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins and Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie.
The letter blasted state Assembly and Senate Democrats for separate proposed bills that would give the New York City Public School System and other school districts more latitude instead of a full ban. That could mean phones in between classes — in hallways and during lunch, recess and study periods, advocates warned…