Former New York City Schools Chancellor David Banks has publicly called on Mayor Eric Adams to implement a systemwide cellphone ban in public schools this year. This marks Banks’ first significant public statement regarding education policy since his departure from the chancellorship in October.
In a LinkedIn post on Friday, Banks referenced a New York Daily News op-ed advocating for a smartphone ban in public schools and stated, “As Chancellor, this was one of the initiatives I deeply believed in.” He further added, “While Mayor Adams decided to take more time to consider this policy, I hope that we see decisive action this year.”
These comments represent Banks’ clearest divergence from the current administration’s stance on the issue. Mayor Adams opted against a systemwide ban last August, despite Banks previously suggesting an imminent plan. This policy disagreement was reportedly a contributing factor to the growing tension between the two long-time associates, culminating in Banks’ early exit after two and a half years as schools chancellor amidst ongoing federal investigations into Mayor Adams’ administration.
Banks’ renewed advocacy for a cellphone ban coincides with increasing discussions in Albany about statewide school cellphone policies. Governor Kathy Hochul has voiced concerns about phone usage in schools and is considering implementing a statewide policy in the near future. Mayor Adams has indicated that New York City will comply with any state-level mandates.
The concept of a cellphone ban in the nation’s largest school district gained considerable traction during the previous school year. Initially a skeptic, Banks became a strong proponent of the ban, citing the book “The Anxious Generation” by NYU Professor Jonathan Haidt and discussions with school principals as catalysts for his change in perspective.
“The evidence is clear,” Banks asserted on LinkedIn, emphasizing the benefits of limiting phone use in schools. “Limiting phone use in schools improves safety, reduces distractions, and addresses the growing mental health challenges our children face, including online bullying.” Data from the federal education department reveals that approximately 90% of schools nationwide reported cyberbullying incidents in the last school year, underscoring the prevalence of this issue.
Last summer, Banks signaled his intention to launch a systemwide cellphone ban at the start of the current school year. However, Mayor Adams put a halt to these plans in late August, expressing concerns about parental buy-in and the potential need to reverse the policy later. Consequently, the Department of Education encouraged individual schools to consider bans but did not mandate a systemwide policy. At the beginning of the school year, officials estimated that around 850 of the city’s 1,600 schools would implement their own bans.
Education officials also announced a collaboration with the Health Department to study best practices for cellphone usage in schools. A spokesperson confirmed that this study is underway, but no findings or completion timeline have been disclosed yet. As of Friday, there was no immediate response from Mayor Adams’ spokesperson regarding Banks’ recent statements or the city’s future plans for school cellphone policy.
The timeline of events surrounding the cellphone ban decision also coincided with federal investigations. Shortly after Mayor Adams’ decision to pause the ban, federal officials searched the home of Banks and his wife, former First Deputy Mayor Sheena Wright, as part of an investigation into potential improper leveraging of family connections for city contracts by Banks’ brother, Terence. Subsequently, Mayor Adams faced federal bribery and campaign finance law violation allegations in a separate investigation. Neither Banks nor Wright have been accused of any wrongdoing.
Banks announced his early retirement in late September, stating it was a planned decision unrelated to the investigations. While initially intending to remain until the end of December, Mayor Adams expedited his departure, prompting Banks to issue a critical statement about the lack of a “responsible transition.”
Banks did not respond to requests for further comments on Friday.
