Mineola BYOG Update – October 2, 2025

Sometimes things are too good to be true…

Our 8th graders are being pulled from the BYOG Learning Management System—for now. But not because of struggling students or teacher concerns. It’s about compliance failures, conflicts of interest, and potential legal violations uncovered in recent weeks.

What We Found

No Contract. State law requires contracts with all third-party vendors handling student data. On 9/27, Board President Cheryl Lampsona admitted in writing: “There is no contract.”

Conflict of Interest. BYOG was created by the Superintendent and his college-aged son, and rolled out as a mandatory program before any contract existed. President Lampsona even stated, “If it is successful, Dr. Nagler could potentially market this at some point in the future.”This raises serious concerns about the Superintendent acting as both curriculum implementer and platform creator—roles from which he and his son could materially or financially benefit.

Use of Public Resources. In Long Island Press, the Superintendent said: “This initiative has been two years in the making and the teachers have been part of the process the entire time.” If teachers were directed to help build BYOG over two years, this raises concerns that taxpayer-funded, union staff and resources may have been used to create materials for what is essentially a private business venture tied to the Superintendent and his son.

Data at Risk. Without a contract, student iPad data lacks safeguards. The BYOG site contained an incomplete privacy policy, admissions of collecting student personal information, and had no indication of COPPA compliancy. The Board was informed of this.

Compliance Gaps. On 9/29, I notified the Board that without a contract Quave/BYOG appeared out of step with NYS Education Law Section 2-d. That same day, President Lampsona responded: “A written agreement has been signed and will be formally approved at the next Board meeting.”

Questions the Community Must Ask today and at the meeting (October 9, 7PM Synergy)

Do components of BYOG still exist within students iPads, curriculum or their learning in any capacity right now?

Is the Board planning to approve BYOG/Quave—or any affiliated platform—now or in the future?

Why was BYOG allowed to operate without a contract, in violation of state law?

📢 THIS IS NOT OVER! COME TO THE MEETING AND MAKE YOUR VOICE HEARD 

7 PM @ Synergy, October 9th Be respectful—awards and other matters will also be discussed. Expect to sign in, possibly wait, and keep remarks under 2.5 minutes. 

Thank you!