ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC) - Governor Kathy Hochul has brought plans forward for a proposed ban on smartphones in public schools. It's part of the governor's State of the State Address, and if enacted, would be up to individual school districts to enforce. Jason Valenti has taught in Rochester city schools for more than 20 years, and has watched technology evolve within generations of students. When it comes to the governor's plans to initiate a bell-to-bell ban on phones in the classroom, Valenti says he's on board with the statewide approach. "If we left this to the individual districts, it would all fall down to the individual teacher to try to enforce this in the classroom. We're not the phone police. We're not here to educate students on technology in the freeform. It's a major distraction," said Valenti. He also explained the difference in phone use among grade levels and why a ban would be a positive change for student activity. "Many of the children come with a device that is able to be used, but it doesn't have internet access. What I'm hearing about the real problem is in the upper grades, where we're having students that coordinate events amongst themselves during the school day that create chaotic and unsafe situations. There's a lot of things that happen after school, where if one kid decides to post something, there's an issue later on with that action. Sometimes, the violence we see in our community has spilled out of a social media interaction that might have happened in school and vice versa," said Valenti. The governor has noted improved student performance and overall well-being as factors surrounding the proposed change. "Smartphones can be so manipulative. It becomes addictive, like a drug. These young people are calling for help. They are literally calling us for help. As the adults in the room and as policymakers, it's our job to pick up that call and then put down that phone," he said. "I think the biggest thing I've heard people saying is, 'It's about time.' I am fairly confident knowing the logic behind this and the buy-in from most of the groups involved with education, children, and families. There is a support for this." If passed, the ban would take effect across New York State public schools next school year. News 8 has reached out to RCSD asking what the district's overall stance on the proposals is and has not heard back. This is a developing story. Stay with News 8 for future updates.